Robotic surgery system

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the robotic surgery system according to the invention relates to a robot assembly comprising at least one robot and an instrument assembly comprising at least one instrument that is guided by said robot assembly. Said instrument assembly comprises at least one instrument housing having at least one drive unit housing part containing a cavity designed to hold the drive unit, said drive unit housing part having a seal for the sterile sealing of an insertion opening of the cavity in addition to a dynamic sterile barrier which delimits the cavity in a sterile manner and across which the drive train arrangement can be actuated; and/or the drive unit is offset laterally in relation to a longitudinal axis of the instrument shaft towards a connection between the instrument housing and the robot assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2013/001252, filed Apr. 25, 2013 (pending), which claimspriority to DE 10 2012 008 535.4 filed Apr. 27, 2012, DE 10 2012 015541.7 filed Aug. 6, 2012, and DE 10 2012 018 432.8 filed Sep. 18, 2012;and is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/523,280, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/523,353, U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/523,422, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/523,468, each filedOct. 24, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One aspect of the present invention relates to a surgical robot systemwith a robot assembly and an instrument assembly with at least oneinstrument controlled by the robot assembly, such an instrument assemblyand a method for assembling such a surgical robot system or such aninstrument assembly.

BACKGROUND

Surgical instruments are required to be as sterile as possible. On theother hand, robots and drives can only be sterilized with difficulty duefor example to lubricants, power take-off and the like.

One approach consists in making the instrument itself drive-less and toactuate it by means of a robot connected to it, for example moving anend effector such as forceps, shears or the like using remotemanipulators. The drive-less instrument itself is easily sterilized. Thenon-sterile robot with the drive for the instrument is encased with astatic sterile barrier. EP 1 015 068 A1 proposes an adapter attached toa sterile case of the robot, through which the instrument drive ismechanically fed.

If the drive is integrated into the instrument, as is also the case withthe present invention, more compact robots can advantageously be used,as the feed-through of the instrument drive can be dispensed with.

Here however several problems arise: for one, instruments with integraldrive are larger than drive-less instruments. This can make manipulationmore difficult, in particular with several cooperating robots. Foranother the drive, which as a rule is non-sterilizable or sterilizableonly with difficulty, is no longer shielded by the sterile case of therobot.

SUMMARY

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to solve at leastone of the aforementioned problems, or to make available an improvedsurgical robot system.

This object is solved by a surgical robot system with a surgical robotsystem as described herein. Claims 2 and 11 respectively place aninstrument assembly for such a surgical robot system, and a method forassembling such a surgical robot system or such an instrument assembly.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a surgical robotsystem with a robot assembly and an instrument assembly coupled thereto,a surgical instrument, a sterilizable drive unit for a surgicalinstrument and a method for sterilizing such a drive unit.

In order to satisfy sterility requirements, operating room objects areusually sterilized in advance, most by subjecting them to hot steamand/or hot air.

According to internal company prior art, surgical robot systems with oneor more robots and surgical instruments controlled by the same arealready known, having an instrument shaft and a drive unit that can becoupled thereto for actuating the degrees of freedom of an end effector.

Specific components of such surgical robot systems are in part notdesigned for thermal loads such as occur during sterilization. Thisapplies in particular to specific electronic components of drive unitsof robot-controlled surgical instruments, particularly for positionsensors, which are particularly advantageous for teleoperated actuationof an end effector in minimally invasive robotic surgery.

Consequently, up until now the complete surgical robot system has beencovered with a sterile single-use case, which is costly andwaste-intensive and makes manipulation more difficult.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to improve thesterilization of drive units of surgical instruments of surgical robotsystems.

This object is solved by a sterilizable drive unit with the featuresdescribed herein, a method for sterilizing such a drive unit, a surgicalinstrument with such a drive unit, and a surgical robot system with suchan instrument.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a surgical robotsystem with a robot assembly and an instrument assembly, an instrumentassembly for such a surgical robot system, a manual operating unit forsuch an instrument arrangement and methods for equipping such a robotassembly with an instrument, and an instrument with a drive unit.

A generic surgical robot system is known from the applicant's Germanpatent application 10 2012 008 535.4, relating to a surgical robotsystem, the disclosure content whereof was incorporated in full into thedisclosure of the present invention. FIG. 26 shows for explanation byway of an example a surgical robot system according to the inventionwith three robots 1, 2, 3, each controlling an instrument 4, 5 and 6respectively, each having at the proximal end near the robot a driveunit and at the distal end remote from the robot an end effector withone or more degrees of freedom for positioning within an operation area14. An instrument shaft 7, 8 and 9 respectively extends between theproximal and distal ends, which reaches the operation area 14 inside apatient through a small opening 10, 11 and 12 respectively, for examplein an abdominal wall 13. Not shown is a haptic input station, from whichthe surgical robot system is teleoperated.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to improve a genericsurgical robot system.

This object is solved by an instrument assembly for a surgical robotsystem with the features described herein, a surgical robot system withsuch an instrument assembly, a manual operating unit for such aninstrument assembly, and a method for equipping a surgical robot systemor instrument, respectively.

Surgical Robot System

A surgical robot system according to one aspect of the present inventionincludes a robot assembly with one or more, particularly two, three orfour, robots. One or more robots of the robot assembly can, in oneembodiment, have six or more joints, particularly rotary joints, morethan six joints allowing advantageous positioning of the redundantrobot. In one embodiment, the robot(s) have a control. Here, severalrobots can have a common central control and/or individual controls. Inone embodiment, the robot assembly, in particular one or more robots,can be positioned, particularly separably fastened, on an operatingtable.

Instrument Assembly

An instrument assembly according to one aspect of the present inventionincludes one or more instruments controlled by the robot assembly; it isaccordingly equipped for attachment to the robot assembly, or configuredas a robot-controlled instrument assembly. In one embodiment, oneinstrument each is attached or attachable, respectively, preferablyseparably, to one or more robots of the robot assembly, particularlywith a form-fitting, friction-locking and/or magnetic, particularlyelectromagnetic connection. In a further development, the instrumentassembly can have multiple, particularly different instruments, whichcan be attached, particularly selectively, to the same or to differentrobots of the robot assembly.

One or more instruments of the instrument assembly each have a single-or multi-part, particularly tubular and/or flexible or completely orpartially or sectionally rigid instrument shaft which is designed forpartial insertion into a patient. At its distal end, a single- ormulti-part end effector, particularly a scalpel, forceps or shear shankor the like, can be attached, particularly separably. Additionally oralternatively, a light source, an optical imaging device, particularly acamera chip, and/or a light guide end for example can be positioned atthe distal end, so that the instrument can be configured as anendoscope.

In one embodiment, an instrument is an endo or minimally invasivesurgical instrument (“MIC”), particularly endoscopic, for examplelaparoscopic or thoracoscopic. In particular, the instrument shaft canbe designed and equipped so as to be inserted into the patient throughan entrance which preferably matches substantially the outer diameter ofthe instrument shaft, particularly through a trocar, and actuated there.

The instrument shaft, particularly a distal part and/or an end effectorof the instrument shaft, can have one or more degrees of freedom. Inparticular, one or more parts of the end effector can each have one ortwo rotational degrees which are preferably perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the instrument shaft. For example, a two-part endeffector can consist of forceps and shears, the shanks whereof swivel inopposite directions about the same axis of rotation.

In one embodiment, to actuate one or more degrees of freedom of theinstrument shaft, an instrument has a drive train assembly with one ormore drive trains. What is meant by a drive train in the present case isin particular an assembly with one or more transmission means formechanical, hydraulic and/or pneumatic transmission of motions and/orforces, anti-parallel force pairs, i.e. torques, also being generallydesignated as forces in the present case for the sake of a more compactpresentation. Such transmission means can in particular be or includetraction cables, push rods, links, gear trains, particularly gate-typegears for converting between a rotational and a translational motion,pulleys, coupling elements and the like. Consequently, in the presentcase, a drive train means in particular a chain of mechanicallyinterconnected transmission means which transmit an input-side actuationby a drive unit to the instrument shaft, particularly an end-effector ofthe instrument shaft, on the output side, and thus actuate a degree offreedom of the instrument shaft. Two or more drive trains of the drivetrain assembly can in particular be set parallel to and/or cross overone another, at least partially or sectionally.

According to one embodiment, moreover, an instrument has a modular driveunit for actuating the drive train assembly. By a modular drive unit ismeant in particular a drive unit which is constructed as a componentunit and can be manipulated as a whole, and in particular is separablyattachable to the instrument, particularly to an instrument housing.

The drive unit is configured for actuating one or more degrees offreedom of the instrument shaft through the drive train assembly, andcan have one or more translational and/or rotational drives for thispurpose, which can in particular have one or more hydraulic, pneumaticand/or electric motors. In one embodiment, the drive train assembly canactuate translational and/or rotational degrees of freedom of theinstrument shaft and transmit translational and/or rotational actuationsof the drive unit translationally and/or rotationally and possiblyconvert one to the other. In one embodiment, the drive unit can have oneor more driven shafts, the rotary motion whereof actuates the drivetrain assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the drive unit can haveone or more pistons (rods), the translational or linear motion whereofactuates the drive train assembly. The drive train assembly can impartor transmit such rotational or translational motions, for example bymeans of traction cable or push rod drives, to the degrees of freedom ofthe instrument shaft. In one embodiment, the drive unit has electricalcontacts for supplying power and/or for transmitting signals, which canin particular be configured for coupling with the electromechanicalinterface explained hereafter.

Instrument Housing

According to one aspect of the present invention, one or moreinstruments of the instrument assembly each have an instrument housingwith a drive train housing part, on which at least a portion of thedrive train assembly is positioned and which, in one embodiment, can beseparably or fixedly or permanently connected to, in particular formedintegrally with, the instrument shaft. In the case of a drive trainhousing part permanently connected with the instrument shaft, the entiredrive train assembly, starting from an input interface to the driveunit, can be positioned at, particularly in, the drive train housingpart. In the case of a separably connected instrument shaft and drivetrain housing part, a part of the drive train assembly can be positionedat, particularly in, the drive train housing part and another part,which can be coupled thereto, can be positioned at, particularly in, theinstrument shaft. In one embodiment, a degree of freedom, particularlyactuated and/or rotary, can be provided or configured between theinstrument housing and the instrument shaft, in order to turn theinstrument shaft, in particular a distal end with an end effector or thelike, about the longitudinal axis. This too is considered as being“connected.”

The instrument housing also has a drive unit housing part with a hollowspace which is configured to accommodate a drive unit or wherein a driveunit is, particularly separably, accommodated, the drive unit housingpart having a seal, for providing a sterile seal for an insertionopening of the hollow space, and a dynamic sterile barrier, whichdelimits the hollow space in a sterile manner and from or through whichthe drive train assembly can be actuated.

As further explained hereafter, the, particularly non-sterile, driveunit can be advantageously integrated into a robot-controlled surgicalinstrument which must satisfy appropriate sterilization requirements inthe OR area, by accommodation in a hollow space of the drive unithousing part, which is provided with a sterile seal by the seal and thedynamic sterile barrier, without requiring cumbersome and damage-proneencasing of the drive unit by a film, a sleeve or the like. In thepresent case, sterile means in particular sterile in the medical,particularly (micro)surgical sense.

By a dynamic sterile barrier is meant, in the present case, a sterilebarrier which allows movement of the drive unit and/or of the drivetrain assembly and in the process provides a sterile seal between twosides or spaces, particularly a sterile barrier through which forcesand/or motions of the drive unit can be transmitted or directed.

In one embodiment, a sterile barrier can be made movable and move alongwith motions of the drive unit and/or of the drive train assembly. Thusfor example an elastically deformable membrane can follow atranslational motion of a piston of the drive unit and mechanicallytransmit it to the drive train assembly. Likewise a rotary couplingelement under sterile seal can follow a rotary motion of a shaft of thedrive unit and transmit it mechanically to the drive train assembly. Inone embodiment, the dynamic sterile barrier provides for sterile mutualisolation of the drive unit and the drive train assembly.

In another embodiment, a dynamic sterile barrier can have a sterilemoving seal through which a transmission means of one or more drivetrain assemblies is routed, particularly a contact-less seal such as agap or labyrinth seal, or a contacting seal, in particular an elastic,pre-tensioned lip or the like. For example, a traction cable or a pushrod of the drive train assembly can be routed through a gap, labyrinthor rubbing lip seal, which thus isolates, in a sterile manner, one sideof the drive train assembly from the opposite side. In one embodiment,the dynamic sterile barrier isolates, in a sterile manner, two sectionsof the drive train assembly from one another.

The instrument housing, in particular the drive unit and/or the drivetrain housing part, is made dimensionally stable, particularly rigid, inone preferred embodiment. It can in particular include, particularly bemade of, plastic and/or metal. As explained previously, the manipulationand integration of a non-sterile drive unit into an instrument of arobotic surgical system can be considerably improved, in particularsimplified, by this dimensionally stable construction. In oneembodiment, however, the drive unit housing part can also be made atleast partially flexible. It can in particular have a dimensionallystable, rigid portion, which is provided or configured for connection tothe drive train housing part and/or for manipulation, in which inparticular one or more grips, recessed grips or the like can be formed.A flexible portion, in particular a film sleeve, which can becost-effectively manufactured and simplifies storage, can be connectedwith this dimensionally stable, rigid portion.

In one embodiment, the drive train housing part and the drive unithousing part are separably interconnected, in particular in aform-fitting and/or friction-fitting manner and/or magnetically,particularly electromagnetically, for example screwed together orinterlocked or the like. This makes possible even simpler sterilemanipulation of the non-sterile drive unit, if it is accommodated in theindependent drive unit housing part and can be manipulated along withit, particularly during an operation.

It makes possible in particular the separable connection of two or moredrive train housing parts and/or the withholding of two or more driveunit housing parts and their selective interconnection. Thus for exampletwo or more identical or different drive unit housing parts with thesame or different drive units can be withheld, so as to be substitutedwhen needed or to be connected with the same drive train housing part.Likewise, two or more identical or different drive train housing partscan be withheld, so as to be substituted when needed or to be connectedwith the same drive unit housing part.

In one embodiment, in addition or as an alternative to substitution ofthe drive unit housing part, even in particular in the case of a driveunit housing part permanently connected with a drive train housing part,the modular drive unit separably accommodated in the hollow space can besubstituted, optionally. To avoid any possibility of confusion in suchcases, two or more drive units and/or two or more drive unit housingparts can have different, particularly mechanical, coding. Mechanicalcoding can consist in particular of a complementary contour of a driveunit and a drive unit housing part, for example with interpenetratingprotrusions and recesses having different shapes, size and/orarrangements. In addition or as an alternative to mechanical coding, thedrive unit and/or the drive unit housing part can have optical and/orelectrical coding, for example circuitry which can only be completed bythe matching counterpart or the like. In addition or as an alternative,particularly to mechanical coding of pairs consisting of a drive unitand a drive unit housing part, separably interconnectable drive unithousing parts and drive train housing parts can also be coded in pairs,mechanically in particular.

In one embodiment, the drive train housing part and the drive unithousing part are permanently interconnected, in particular integrallyformed together. This can advantageously provide in particular a morecompact and/or more robust instrument housing.

The dynamic sterile barrier can be separably connected with the drivetrain housing part and/or the drive unit housing part. In particular, itcan be inserted into the hollow space in the drive unit housing part,and be fastened there in a form-fitting or friction-fitting fashion.This makes possible cost-effective manufacture of the dynamic sterilebarrier as a single-use article. Likewise, the dynamic sterile barriercan be permanently connected, in particular integrated, with the drivetrain housing part and/or the drive unit housing part, which inparticular prevents the dynamic barrier from being forgotten.

Electromechanical Interface

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the instrumentassembly has an electromechanical interface for separably attaching theinstrument housing, particularly the drive train housing part, to therobot assembly. In the present case, electromechanical interface meansin particular an element which is configured for mechanical attachmentof an instrument to a robot and for transmitting electrical power and/orelectrical signals. Such an element can be separably attached,particularly with a form-fitting or friction fit, to the instrumentand/or the robot, for example screwed or interlocking.

In a further development, the electromechanical interface is connectedby means of a mechanical plug connection with the instrument housingand/or the robot assembly. For this purpose, the electromechanicalinterface can be configured as a plug connector on the side facing theinstrument housing and/or the robot, which is configured for plug-inconnection with a suitable plug connector of the instrument housing orrobot, for example as a radial protuberance which engages form-fittinglyinto a recess or the like.

In a further development, the interface, particularly positively guidedby the plug connection, can pass through a static sterile barrier of therobot, particularly a film-like casing, and or of the instrument,particularly a static sterile seal, particularly a contact-less sealsuch as a gap or labyrinth seal, or a contacting seal such as a rubbinglip seal, while perforating it.

One or more electrical contacts of the electromechanical interface cansimultaneously constitute the mechanical plug connection or beintegrated therein. Likewise, one or more electrical contacts of theelectromechanical interface can also be configured as rubbing contacts,which are not plugged in, particularly spring-loaded contact elements orleaf spring contacts which in particular are contacted on a rigidopposite surface.

Instead of an electromechanical interface, a purely mechanical interfacecan also be provided, in particular if, in a further development,wireless power and/or signal transmission to the drive unit is provided.

Seal

The seal for sterile sealing of the insertion opening can, in oneembodiment, have a cover-like configuration. It can be separablyconnected with the drive unit housing part, particularly with aform-fitting, friction-locking and/or magnetic, particularlyelectromagnetic connection, by plugging in, interlocking, screwing orthe like for example. In a further development, it extends out beyondthe edge of the insertion opening, so that a region of the insertionopening, where the non-sterile drive unit rubs during insertion into thehitherto sterile drive unit housing part and thus contaminates it, issealed along with it by the seal.

The seal or the insertion opening can be located on a face of theinstrument housing facing away from the instrument shaft, so that thedrive unit can be removed or inserted on the side opposite theinstrument shaft. In addition or as an alternative, the seal or theinsertion opening can, for example for more compact space utilization orbetter manipulation, be positioned on a face of the instrument housingfacing the instrument shaft, next to the instrument shaft. For bettermanipulation in particular, the seal or the insertion opening can alsobe positioned on an outside surface of the instrument housing, which canpreferably extend—at least substantially—transverse to a longitudinalaxis of the instrument shaft. In other words, the drive unit can also beinserted into the drive unit housing part sideways—relative to thelongitudinal axis of the instrument shaft.

In one embodiment, particularly in a cover-like seal, fixing means forfixing the drive unit can be located in the hollow space and thus fixthe same upon closing the cover. In addition or alternatively, fixingmeans can be located at other places in the hollow space. In oneembodiment, one or more fixing means are configured as braces. What ismeant by this in the present case is that they brace the drive unit,preferably elastically, for the purpose of fixing it. To this end, afixing means can have an elastic element, for example an arrangement ofone or more springs. In addition or alternatively, one or more fixingmeans can be configured to interlock and to fix the drive unit with aform-fitting and/or friction fit in the hollow space.

Drive Unit

According to one aspect of the present invention, the drive unit islaterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the instrument shaft towarda connection of the instrument housing to the robot assembly. This meansin the present case that the drive unit, viewed in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the instrument shaft, is notflush with the longitudinal axis, but is offset from it toward a contactsurface of the instrument which is provided or configured for attachmentof the instrument to a robot of the robot assembly. The drive unit canin particular be positioned in the lateral direction between thelongitudinal axis of the instrument shaft and the connection to therobot assembly. Likewise, it can also extend laterally out beyond thelongitudinal axis of the instrument shaft, the volume and/or mass centreand/or an axis of symmetry of the drive unit, however, preferably beingpositioned in the lateral direction between the longitudinal axis of theinstrument shaft and the connection to the robot assembly.

Due to the lateral offset from the instrument shaft, the instrument isadvantageously smaller in the region or in the direction of itslongitudinal axis. In this manner, the longitudinal axes in particularof several instruments or instrument shafts of cooperating robots of therobot assembly can be placed closer together and thus operated in asmaller space.

In particular, so as to increase the mobility of such closely groupedoperating instruments, it is provided in a further development that atleast one instrument housing tapers in the lateral direction toward thelongitudinal axis of the instrument shaft, and in particular has awedge-shaped cross-section. A pivoting range of the instrument about thelongitudinal axis of the instrument shaft can thereby be advantageouslyincreased, before the tapering instrument housing, which can inparticular be a drive train housing part, collides with anotherinstrument.

Assembly Method

In order to assembly an instrument assembly the invention provides,according to one aspect, that a sterile drive unit housing part isinitially supplied and sterile covering is provided for an areasurrounding the insertion opening, preferably by means of a removablesterile guard. Next, the non-sterile drive unit is inserted into thehollow space of the drive unit housing part and thereby contaminatesthis hollow space. Now the seal is given a sterile seal, possibly afterremoval of the sterile cover, a sterile cover for example being insertedor applied so as to form a sterile seal.

In this manner, the non-sterile drive unit can be accommodated in thesterile drive unit housing part and then handled together with it insterile fashion.

To assembly a robotic surgical system the invention provides, accordingto one aspect, to package the robot assembly in sterile condition, inparticular by encasing one or more robots with a film-like staticsterile barrier. In addition or alternatively, one or more drive unitsof the instrument assembly, in particular as described earlier, can bepackaged in sterile condition in a drive unit housing part by insertingthem into it and then sealing the seal in sterile fashion.

A mechanical plug connection of an electromechanical interface is thenformed between the robot assembly and the instrument assembly. To thisend, the electromechanical interface can be connected with the robotassembly and/or the instrument assembly by means of a mechanical plugconnection, a protuberance, particularly a radial one, or a recess ofthe interface being inserted or applied form-fittingly into a suitablerecess or onto a suitable, particularly radial, protuberance of thesterile-packaged robot or instrument assembly.

Preferably guided by this mechanical plug connection, theelectromechanical interface, which for this purpose can have one or moreelectrically conductive protrusions, perforates this static sterilebarrier. Due to the perforation, the static sterile barrier continues toprovide a sterile seal. As in the process penetration occurs only fromthe sterile into the non-sterile, the sterile is also not contaminated.Overall, in one embodiment, a mechanical plug connection of theelectromechanical interface is formed in advance from an electrical plugconnection of the electromechanical interface.

Next, the electromechanical interface is fixed. This can occur with aform fit or a friction fit, particularly through the mechanical plugconnection itself. In addition or alternatively, it can be set up forscrewing the electromechanical interface to the robot and/or theinstrument, particularly with perforation of the static sterile barrier.

As previously discussed, a robot-controlled surgical instrument with anintegrated drive unit can advantageously be handled in sterile fashionby means of the present invention. Accordingly, in one embodiment, theinstrument shaft and/or an instrument housing, in particular a driveunit housing part and/or a drive train housing part, in particular itsdrive train assembly, are sterile or sterilized. By inserting thenon-sterile drive unit, only the hollow space is contaminated, whichhowever is sealed off in sterile fashion by the seal, sealed in asterile fashion and the dynamic sterile barrier against the externalenvironment. Through the electromechanical interface, an electricalconnection with the robot and/or the drive unit can be created, whilemaintaining sterility, through which electrical power and/or controlsignals can be transmitted between the robot and the drive unit.Likewise, the drive unit can be supplied with power and/or controlled,wirelessly for example, in particular using alternating electromagneticfields, perhaps inductively and/or by radio. Likewise, the drive unitcan have an energy storage unit, for example a battery or a rechargeablestorage battery, and/or have an autonomous control unit.

A sterilizable drive unit according to one aspect of the presentinvention has an actuator assembly with one or more actuators foractuating one or more degrees of freedom of an end effector of asurgical instrument, and endoscope with distal kinematics in oneembodiment. In this embodiment, an actuator can have at least one,preferably force- and/or position-controlled electric motor, or inparticular be at least one, preferably force- and/or position-controlledelectric motor. A position-controlled electric motor can advantageouslyimprove teleoperating actuation of an end effector during minimallyinvasive robotic surgery.

The drive unit also has a component assembly with one or more electroniccomponents. In one embodiment, an electronic component can have, orparticularly be, a position-determining means, particularly a positionsensor, for determining a position of an actuator of the actuatorassembly, possibly a resolver, incremental or absolute angle encoder. Inone embodiment of the present invention, additionally or alternatively,an electronic component can be configured for processing and/or storingdata, for example for filtering signals or the like; it can inparticular have, or in particular be, a microchip or microcontroller. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the electronic component has anupper temperature limit of at most 100 degrees Celsius, particularly atmost 90 degrees Celsius.

The drive unit has a sterilizable housing. A sterilizable housing can inparticular be provided or configured to be subjected with hot steamand/or air at a temperature of at least 100 degrees Celsius, inparticular at least 120 degrees Celsius, preferably at least 130 degreesCelsius, in particular for at least 5 minutes, preferably at least 20minutes and/or at a pressure of at least 2 bar, particularly at least 3bar. In one embodiment the housing can be—substantially at least—ofcylindrical or box-shaped construction.

In one embodiment, the housing is fluid-tight, in particular against theaforementioned hot steam, and/or airtight. In one embodiment, it can bemade up of two or more parts, at least two housing parts being separablyinterconnectable or interconnected in a further development, in order toallow access to an interior of the housing. In one embodiment, twointerconnected housing parts have a, particularly elastic, gasket,particularly an O-ring seal. In one embodiment, they can be screwed,interlocked, clipped together or the like.

The actuator assembly and the component assembly are located inside thehousing. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly is fastened to thehousing, separably or permanently, by means of a bracket. The componentassembly can in particular be fastened, separably or permanently, to theactuator assembly and/or to the housing.

The housing has a housing wall. A housing wall, for the purpose of thepresent invention, can be an outer or an inner wall of the housing. Ahousing wall for the purpose of the present invention can completelyenclose the interior of the housing and have for this purpose aplurality of wall parts, in particular angled with respect to oneanother, for example the side walls of a box-shaped housing or theoutside surface of a cylindrical housing as well as their respectiveface covers, of which preferably at least one is separably attached. Thehousing wall can, in one embodiment, be dimensionally rigid. It can havemetal and/or plastic, and in particular be made thereof.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a thermal insulationlayer is placed on the housing wall. This can be located a side of thehousing wall facing the component assembly. Additionally oralternatively, a thermal insulation layer can be located on a side ofthe housing wall facing away from the component assembly. According toone embodiment, then, the housing wall in particular can be an outsidewall of the housing, on the inner side whereof, facing the interior ofthe housing or the component assembly, a thermal insulation layer islocated. Likewise, the housing wall can be an inner wall of the housing,on the outer side whereof, facing the interior of the housing or thecomponent assembly, a thermal insulation layer is located. In a furtherdevelopment, another thermal insulation layer can be located on theinner side of such an inner wall facing the interior of the housing orthe component assembly, or the inner housing wall can be sandwichedbetween two thermal insulation layers.

A thermal insulation layer can, in one embodiment, completely cover theinner and/or outer surface of the housing wall, substantially at least,or completely enclose a housing interior, substantially at least.Likewise, a thermal insulation layer can, in one embodiment, be locatedonly on one or more portions or segments of the housing wall, preferablyat least at the level of the component assembly or facing the componentassembly.

Due to a thermal insulation layer on one or more segments of the housingwall, heat conduction through the entire housing wall, and thustemperature loading of the component assembly, can advantageously bereduced. If a thermal insulation layer completely protects the housingwall, substantially at least, then heat transfer in particular into theinterior of the housing, and thus onto the component assembly, can beminimized.

According to one aspect of the present invention, additionally oralternatively to a thermal insulation layer on the housing wall, athermal insulating layer can be located between the component assemblyand the actuator assembly. Heat conduction from the actuator assembly tothe component assembly, and thus temperature loading of the componentassembly, can be advantageously reduced thereby.

A thermal insulation layer on the housing wall and/or between thecomponent and actuator assemblies can be single- or multi-layer. In oneembodiment, one or more layers of a thermal insulation layer can have,in particular be made of, one or more thermal barrier materials,particularly mineral wool, rigid polyurethane foam or the like.Additionally or alternatively, one or more layers of a thermalinsulating layer can have vacuum insulation. To this end, the respectivelayer can have two surfaces spaced apart, delimiting between them afluid-, particularly air-tight space, which is preferably filled withair or gas at reduced pressure. In a further development, a poroussupporting core can be located in the space. In one embodiment, thehousing wall forms one surface of a vacuum insulation layer. In afurther development, the housing wall is, at least sectionally, ofdouble wall construction and constitutes the two spaced surfaces of avacuum insulation layer.

A thermal insulation layer in the sense of the present invention canhave a thermal conductivity λ at 20 degrees Celsius amounting to at most1 W/(K m), in particular at most 0.5 W/(K m), preferably at most 0.05W/(K m).

Heat conduction into the interior of the housing during sterilization,particularly with hot steam or air, can be advantageously reduced by athermal insulation layer on the housing wall. In operation, however, theactuator assembly in particular can generate waste heat, the escapewhereof can be disadvantageously reduced by a thermal insulating layeron the housing wall.

For this reason in particular, it can be provided in one embodimentthat—particularly at the level of an attachment of the actuator assemblyto the housing wall or facing the actuator assembly on the housingwall—only a thermal insulating layer with high thermal conductivity, inparticular thin and/or with fewer layers, is placed, or the housing wallin this region is constructed entirely or partially without aninsulating layer. In this manner, in operation, waste heat from theactuator assembly can be conducted through its connection or attachmentto the housing wall and transferred from there to the surroundings.

To this end in particular, in one embodiment, a drive unit has a heatconduction assembly with one or more heat conduction means with a heatdissipation surface, which is positioned on an outer side of the housingwall facing the actuator assembly. The heat dissipation surface can inparticular be positioned on an outer surface of the housing, or protrudefrom there. A heat conduction means in the sense of the presentinvention can in particular have a heat conductivity λ at 20 degreesCelsius amounting to at least 10 W/(K m), in particular to at least 100W/(K m), preferably to at least 200 W/(K m). A heat conduction means inthe sense of the present invention can in particular reach through athermal insulation layer, or have a heat dissipation surface on theouter side of the housing wall and a heat absorption surface bondedthereto inside the housing, so as to channel the transmission of heatfrom the heat absorption to the heat dissipation surface.

In one embodiment, one or more heat conduction means or their heatabsorption surfaces contact a bracket or a fastening of the actuatorassembly on the housing wall; they are preferably connected with such aconnection of the actuator assembly, in particular separably orintegrally. In this manner, waste heat of the actuator assembly can betransmitted, by heat conduction, through the heat absorption surface(s),from this by heat conduction and/or convection to the heat dissipationsurface(s) and transmitted from this or these to the surroundings.

The heat dissipation surface of one or more heat conduction means canhave a surface area that is augmented relative to a base area of theheat dissipation surface, so as to increase heat transfer. Inparticular, a heat dissipation surface can have one or more coolingribs, fins and/or pins.

The heat dissipation surface of one or more heat conduction means can beseparably connected with the respective heat conduction means. Inparticular, a plug and/or clip connection between the heat dissipationsurface and the heat conduction means can be configured or provided.This can make it possible to individually sterilize a surface connectingthe heat transfer means to the heat dissipation surface separated fromthere, which has a smaller surface area than the heat dissipationsurface, and the heat transfer surface, less heat entering the housinginterior due to the smaller connection surface area. With the heatdissipation surface attached, waste heat from the actuator assembly canbe more effectively removed through it. Likewise, the heat dissipationsurface can also be permanently connected with the heat conductionmeans, in particular integrally incorporated into it, in particular byprimary forming.

One or more heat conduction means of the heat conduction means assembly,which are also called heat conduction means, can be fixedly orpermanently connected to the housing, particularly the actuatorassembly, particularly formed integrally with a bracket of the actuatorassembly. In particular, its waste heat in operation can be removed by aseparable heat dissipation surface and/or a local thermal coupling withthe actuator assembly, and heat input into the component assembly duringsterilization nevertheless reduced.

In one embodiment, the heat conduction assembly has one or moreswitchable heat conduction means, which can be switched between a first,more heat conductive and a second, less heat conductive state. By a lessheat conductive state is meant, for the purpose of the presentinvention, a state wherein a heat conduction means, under otherwiseidentical conditions, particularly at the same temperature differencebetween the housing interior and the outside, has a heat flux ϕ passingthrough it which amounts to at least 10 times, particularly at least 100times the heat flux in the less heat-conductive state. A second, lessheat-conductive state in the sense of the present invention can inparticular be a thermally insulating state wherein the heat conductionmeans has a heat conductivity amounting to at most 0.05 W/(K m).

In this manner, one or more switchable heat conduction means of the heatconduction means assembly can advantageously be switched into thesecond, less heat-conductive state during application of the heatedfluid, and switched into the first, heat-conductive state so as tobetter remove waste heat from the actuator assembly during operation.

In one embodiment, one or more switchable heat conduction means can havea gap and a movable element for selective heat-conducting bridging ofthis gap. The gap can in particular be made fluid-tight, and in afurther development can have reduced pressure or a vacuum, so as toreduce its heat conductivity. In one embodiment, the gap can bedelimited by an elastic shell, which in a further development can have afolding or a bellows-like configuration. In the first, moreheat-conductive state, the movable element bridges the gap and increasesthe heat conductivity of the heat conduction means; in the second, lessheat-conductive state, the gap is not bridged and thus is thermallyinsulating, so that the heat conduction means can be switched by movingthe movable element. In one embodiment, the gap can be located or formedwithin the thermal insulation layer.

In one embodiment, one or more switchable heat conduction means can eachhave one or more Peltier elements. By Peltier elements is meant inparticular, for the purpose of the present invention, a thermoelectricconverter which generates a temperature difference from a current flowbased on the Peltier effect, in particular a so-called TEC(“thermoelectric cooler”).

In one embodiment, one or more heat conduction means can have a fluidpassage with a working fluid which can exchange heat with a heatexchange surface and a heat absorption surface of the heat conductionmeans. In operation, the working fluid can be present in particular ingaseous and/or liquid form. In particular, the heat conduction means canhave, or be in particular, a so-called “heat pipe.”

In a further development, a heat conduction means with a fluid passagewith a working fluid can be configured as a switchable heat conductionmeans. To this end, it can have a flow control means for selectivelyactively streaming and/or blocking the working fluid. A flow controlmeans for selectively actively streaming can in particular have, or inparticular be a controllable circulating pump that in particular can beselectively activated for circulating the working fluid between heatabsorption and transfer surfaces. By activating or stronger circulation,the heat conduction means can be switched into the first, moreheat-conductive state, by deactivation or weaker circulation into thesecond, less heat-conductive state. Additionally or alternatively, inparticular in a heat pump without a circulation pump, a flow controlmeans for selective blocking of the working fluid can have acontrollable, in particular openable and closeable, valve. Additionallyor alternatively, a switchable heat conducting means with a heat pipecan have two heat pipe sections with thermal contact surfaces separatedby a gap and a movable element for selective heat-conductive bridging ofthis gap.

A surgical robot system according to one aspect of the present inventionhas a robot assembly with one or more robots, each controlling asurgical instrument which is separably coupled with the respectiverobot, in particular by means of a robot flange or a robot interfaceconfigured for the purpose, mechanically in particular, in a furtherdevelopment also electrically and/or thermally. One or more of therobots can, in one embodiment, have six or more degrees of freedom each,particularly rotary degrees of freedom. They can be stationary ormobile. In particular, one or more of the robots can be fastened to anoperating table, separably in particular. Additionally or alternatively,one or more of the robots can be fastened to a mobile platform. Therobot-controlled instrument(s) are positioned by the robot assembly inone embodiment.

A surgical instrument according to one aspect of the present inventionis robot-controlled, in one embodiment, by being separably coupled witha robot or is configured to that end, having in particular a robotinterface configured for this purpose. It has an instrument shaft which,in one embodiment, is provided or configured for partial insertion intoa patient, particularly through a trocar, and an end effector, which inone embodiment is provided for operating intracorporally, or to beinserted into a patient through one or more surgical or naturalopenings. In a further development, the end effector has one, two, threeor more degrees of freedom, one or more of the degrees of freedomhaving, in a further development, a working space that is limited, inparticular by stops. The end effector can for example have, or inparticular be, a scalpel, forceps, clamps, shears or the like. Likewise,the end effector can have, or in particular be, an optical interface forsending and/or receiving light, particularly laser light or a cameraimage, and/or a fluid opening for introducing and/or aspirating fluids,particularly liquids and/or gases.

In one embodiment, the instrument shaft can be coupled with the robotassembly, or have a robot interface configured for this purpose.Additionally or alternatively, the drive unit can be mechanically and/orelectrically coupled with the robot assembly, or have a robot interfaceconfigured for this purpose.

The sterilizable driven unit, in particular its actuator assembly, is inone embodiment separably coupled with the instrument shaft by means ofan interface. In this manner, the same instrument shaft canadvantageously be selectively coupled with various drive units, so asfor example to actuate different degrees of freedom, to vary actuatingpower and/or accuracy and/or to recharge an energy storage unit, inparticular a storage battery.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, a sterilizabledrive unit has an interface for separable coupling of the actuatorassembly with an instrument shaft of a surgical instrument. The driveunit and instrument shaft can, in one embodiment, be separablyinterconnected, particularly screwed, clamped, interlocked, or clippedtogether or the like.

The interface can include one or more translationally and/orrotationally movable power take-off shafts of the actuator assembly. Atranslationally movable take-off shaft can have in particular asterilizable axial seal, preferably a contact seal, in particular aso-called piston rod seal with one or more elastically deformedelements, which are compressed or stretched between the drive shaft anda guide, a translational relative motion of the drive shaft relative tothe guide occurring with rubbing contact, during translational motion,between the elastically deformed element(s) and the drive shaft and/orthe guide.

A rotationally movable drive shaft can have in particular a sterilizableradial seal, preferably a rubbing seal, particularly a so-called radialshaft seal with one or more elastically deformed elements which areelastically compressed or stretched between the drive shaft and a guide,a rotary relative motion between the elastically deformed element(s) andthe drive shaft and/or the guide occurring, with rubbing contact, duringrotary motion of the drive shaft relative to the guide.

In one embodiment, the interface has a shell which covers one or morepenetration openings in the housing fluid-tight and encases one part ofa drive shaft of the actuator assembly reaching through this opening,the shell preferably being elastically deformed by a motion of this partof the drive shaft(s). To this end, the shell can in particular have afolding or be of bellows-like construction.

For sterilizing a drive unit, according to one aspect of the presentinvention, an outer surface of the drive unit is exposed, particularlyfor a predetermined duration, particularly for at least 5 minutes,preferably at least 20 minutes, and/or at a pressure of at least 2 bar,in particular at least 3 bar with heated fluid, particularly steam orair, preferably at 100 degrees Celsius at least, particularly at least120 degrees Celsius, preferably 130 degrees Celsius.

Here one or more switchable heat conduction means are preferablyswitched into the second, less heat-conductive state. Separable heatdissipation surfaces are preferably separated from the respective heatconduction means and can be exposed together with the housing.

In operation, the waste heat from the actuator assembly can beadvantageously removed if switchable heat conduction means are switchedinto the first, more heat-conductive state. To this end the drive unithas, in one embodiment, a switchover means for selectively switchingover at least one switchable heat conduction means of the heatconduction means assembly into the first, more heat-conductive state.

Selective switchover can be accomplished manually. In one embodiment,the switchover means is constructed or configured for automaticswitching, particularly depending on a temperature in an interior of thehousing and/or an operating parameter of the actuator assembly. It canfor example determine a temperature inside the housing and, uponexceeding a predefined limiting value, switch one or more switchableheat conduction means into the first, more heat-conductive state.Likewise it can determine an operating parameter of the actuatorassembly, for example an operating time and/or mechanical or electricalwork done, perhaps an integral of electrical power absorbed by theactuator assembly and, upon exceeding a predefined limiting value,switch one or more switchable heat conduction means into the first, moreheat-conductive state, as a corresponding quantity of waste heat isassociated with it. Likewise, the heat conduction means assembly canalso be switched into the first state following sterilization. Theswitchover means can control in particular a movement of a movableelement, the application of current to a Peltier element, a circulationpump, a valve of a switchable heat conduction means. In one embodiment,the switchover means has a mechanism which is automatically operated bytemperature control of a bimetallic strip, a shape-memory alloy or thelike.

In one embodiment, a switchable heat conduction means can be switched,mechanically in particular, into the first state through the coupling ofthe drive unit with the instrument shaft and/or with the robot assembly.For example, and element can be moved by the coupling so as to bridge agap, or a valve can be opened so as to release flow of a working fluidin a heat conduction means.

A surgical robot system according to one aspect of the present inventionincludes a robot assembly with one or more, particularly two or moreidentical, and/or two or more robots of different types. In a furtherdevelopment, one or more robots of the robot assembly each have at least6, in particular at least 7 degrees of freedom, so as to position arobot-controlled, particularly teleoperated instrument.

Moreover, the surgical robot system includes an instrument assembly oran instrument system or set, according to one aspect of the resentinvention, which includes one or more, particularly two or moreidentical and/or two or more instruments of different types, which areconfigured for attachment to a robot of the robot assembly, or have inparticular an instrument interface for attachment to a robot of therobot assembly. In a further development, an instrument interface isconfigured for separable, particularly form-fitting and/orforce-fitting, particularly friction-fitting attachment to acorresponding, particularly complementary robot interface of the robotassembly.

One or more instruments of the instrument assembly each have aninstrument shaft which is provided for partial insertion into a patient.To this end, the shaft can be built rigid or movable, particularlyarticulated or flexible, sectionally or over its entire length, and orhave a length amounting to at least 15 times, preferably at least 20times its maximum diameter. For a more compact presentation, a proximalflange of the instrument shaft, which can have an instrument interfacefor attaching the instrument to the robot and/or a suitable driveinterface for attaching a drive unit, is referred to as part of theinstrument shaft.

In a further development, the instrument shaft has at its distal end anend effector with one or more degrees of freedom, in particular ascalpel, a clamp, forceps or shears, a sender and/or receiver,particularly a light source and/or a camera. In a further development,for actuating one or more degrees of freedom of the instrument shaft,particularly of instrument shaft parts relative to one another, and/orof an end effector, a drive train can be positioned in the instrumentshaft. By a drive train is meant in particular, in the present case, ina general sense an assembly for mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and/orelectrical transmission of forces and/or motions, which in a furtherdevelopment can have in particular one or more traction- and/orpush-rods, cables, belts, rollers, gears, hydraulic lines and the like.In this connection reference is made to the applicant's German patentapplication 10 2012 008 537.0 and international patent applicationsPCT/EP2012/000358 and PCT/EP2012/000719, the disclosure content whereofwas fully incorporated into the disclosure of the present invention.

According to one aspect of the present invention, for actuating one ormore degrees of freedom of the instrument shaft, particularly of an endeffector, a drive unit is provided which in one embodiment is of modularconstruction, possibly having in particular a mechanical drive interfacefor separable connection to the drive train assembly. In the presentcase, modular construction is understood to mean that the unit ofmodular construction can be handled as a unit, or as a component unit,and in particular can be connected with other parts, or separated fromthem, many times, and preferably has a housing of its own.

In a further development, an instrument assembly includes two or moremodular drive units which can be selectively connected to the sameinstrument shaft, and/or two or more instrument shafts which can beselectively connected with the same modular drive unit. In particular,the mechanical drive interfaces of one or more modular drive units andthe drive train assemblies of one or more instrument shafts can be builtto match to one another and to be connectable, in particularcomplementary or congruent, for example having cooperating couplingmeans.

A drive unit has, in a further development, a drive part with one ormore drives, which in particular have at least one motor, in particularan electric motor, a gear train, a current sensor, reference and endswitches and/or a position and/or force sensor which can determine aposition of a drive shaft or a force acting upon a drive shaft, and anelectronic part with one or more control and/or communication means. Acontrol means can in particular be configured for control of the drivepart, particularly of its drive(s), a communication means forcommunication with the drive part, particularly its drive(s) and/orsensor(s), and/or for communication with a robot of the robot assembly,particularly of an (instrument) control. Accordingly, an electronic partcan in particular have or constitute the entire drive, particularlypower electronics of one or more drives of the drive part or a portionthereof. Additionally or alternatively, an electronic part can have orconstitute one or more signal processing means, particular for sensorsignals of the drive part.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the electronic part ofone or more drive units of the instrument assembly is modular and has aninterface for separable, particularly electrical and/or mechanicalconnection with a drive part of the respective drive unit, an interfacefor preferably separable, particularly electrical and/or mechanicalconnection with the instrument shaft, and/or an interface for preferablyseparable, particularly electrical and/or mechanical connection with therobot assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, the drive part of one or more drive unitsof the instrument assembly can also be modular and have an interface forseparable, particularly electrical and/or mechanical connection to anelectronic part of the respective drive unit, an interface forpreferably separable, particularly electrical and/or mechanicalconnection with the instrument shaft, particularly its drive train,and/or an interface for preferably separable, particularly electricaland/or mechanical connection with the robot assembly.

Due to this subdivision of the mechatronic drive unit into an electronicpart and a drive part, of which at least one is of modular construction,is accordingly also called hereafter the electronic module or drivemodule, and has an interface for separable connection with the other ofthe electronic and the drive unit, weight and volume of the componentsto be handled by OR personnel can be advantageously reduced and theoperator friendliness of the robot system improved. For example, anelectronic module can be handled independently of the instrument with adrive part permanently or separably attached to the instrument and forexample can be attached in advance to the robot or (initially) remain onthe robot upon removal of the instrument.

A high count of electrical contacts between the two modules can resultfrom the separation of all electronic component assemblies from themotors and sensors of the drive module. Consequently, in one embodiment,one or more control and/or communication means, in particular electroniccomponent assemblies, can also be located in the drive module. Inparticular, the number of lines can be reduced by integration of thepower electronics and/or of the current control into the drive moduleaccording to a further development of the present invention.

An interface of the electronic module can, in one embodiment, constitutein particular the mechanical and/or electrical instrument interface forattaching the instrument through the electronic module to a robot of therobot assembly. In particular, the electronic module can be or becomeattached permanently or separably to the robot, so that its interfacefor connecting to the drive part and/or to the instrument shaftconstitutes an instrument interface. If the electronic module isseparably attached through an interface with the robot, this constitutesan (additional) instrument interface for attaching the instrumentthrough the electronic module to the robot.

In one embodiment, the electronic module is made sterilizable, forexample by hermetically accommodating, in particular moulding-in, itscontrol and/or communication means except for the interface(s).Additionally or alternatively, it can be entirely or partiallysurrounded by a sterile shell, which in a further development can alsocompletely or partially surround the robot with which the electronicmodule is connected.

According to one aspect of the present invention, one or more modularmanual operating units are provided for optionally replacing a modulardrive unit of an instrument of the instrument assembly of the surgicalrobot system. By optional replacement is meant in particular, in thepresent case, that a manual operating unit is optionally attached to theinstrument, in particular to its instrument shaft, instead of amotorized drive unit, or that at least one drive and at least oneoperating unit are so matched to one another that they can be mutuallysubstituted.

In particular, a manual operating unit can have a mechanical driveinterface for connection to a drive train assembly of the instrument,which corresponds to a mechanical drive interface of the drive unit tobe optionally replaced for connection with that drive train assembly. Inother words, the instrument assembly according to this aspect of theinvention can have at least one manual operating unit and at least onemodular drive unit, the mechanical drive interfaces of this match oneanother. The mechanical drive interfaces of the operating unit and driveunit to be optionally connected separably to the instrument and can inparticular have respective coupling means for connection with the drivetrain assembly, which match one another in their operation, geometricconfiguration and/or arrangement relative to one another or to anattachment means for separable attachment of the operating or drive unitto the instrument.

The mechanical drive interfaces of the operating or drive unit can alsomatch one another in the number of degrees of freedom that can beactuated by them, particularly in the number of coupling means,particularly shafts. Likewise it is possible that different degrees offreedom of the instrument, particularly a different number of degrees offreedom, can be actuated by the operating unit and the drive unit, forexample, insofar as, at the position of one or more axes of the drivetrain assembly, no coupling means is provided at the mechanical driveinterface of the operating unit or of the drive unit, these axes of thedrive train assembly are idled, so to speak, when the operating or driveunit is attached, and are blocked in one, particularly a predefined,position in one embodiment. In a further development, the ability toactuate one or more degrees of freedom of the drive train assembly bymeans of the manual operating unit can be optionally blocked, preferablyin that a corresponding operating degree of freedom of the operatingunit or a corresponding axis, particularly mechanical, of its mechanicaldrive interface is optionally blocked, in particular mechanically,hydraulically or electromagnetically. In one embodiment, the operatingunit has for this purpose a blocking device with mechanical elementswith which individual parts of the mechanical drive interface,particularly coupling means, can be fixed in a predefined position.

One advantage of robot-controlled instruments is the possibility ofintegrating degrees of freedom into the distal end so as to achieveincreased mobility in the intervention region compared to manuallaparoscopic instruments. Likewise, simple operation of the instrumentsis made possible for the operator by robotic control and actuation ofthe instrument. If an instrument originally designed for manualoperation is connected to a robot and is actuated with the help of itsdegrees of freedom and/or an instrument-specific drive unit, conversionto manual operation technology and continuing the operation with thesame instrument is possible in the event of malfunction.

According to the aforementioned aspect of the present invention, aninstrument can be used advantageously with a robot-optimized interfacein that the mechanical drive interface of the manual operating unit forconnection with a drive train assembly of the instrument structurallyemulates or corresponds to the mechanical drive interface of themotorized drive unit. In this manner, a human operator interface isprovided for a robot-controlled instrument with distal kinematics. Thiscan result in particular in the advantage of a simpler construction ofthe drive unit, a better scalability with regard to the distalkinematics and a consistent control design.

In a further development, the mechanical drive interface of the manualoperating unit can also have electrical contacts through which inparticular information can be exchanged between the operating unit andthe instrument and/or energy can be transmitted between the operatingunit and the instrument, for example from or to a sensor in an endeffector of the instrument shaft.

According to one embodiment, a manual operating unit has a base whichhas an attachment means for separable attachment to one or variousinstruments of the instrument assembly, and on which is mounted a handlever with one or more degrees of freedom, the actuation whereof istransmitted, scaled in particular, to the mechanical drive interface ofthe operating unit, so as to thus actuate the drive train or the degreesof freedom of the instrument or instrument shaft separably connected tothe operating unit. By scaled transmission is meant in particulartransmission wherein a linear or rotary operating path is amplified orreduced and/or kinematically transformed, in particular into anotheraxis and/or from a translational into a rotary or from a rotary into atranslational motion. The attachment means of the base can be configuredto cooperate with a, particularly complementary attachment means of theinstrument shaft, for example in the form of a plug, interlocking and/orscrew connection.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the instrumentinterface for attaching one or more instruments of the instrumentassembly to the robot assembly has a mounting barrier which isreleasable by a drive unit of this instrument, particularly by a driveunit attached to the instrument shaft, preferably only by a drive unitthat is correctly attached to the instrument shaft and/or functional.

In this way, the robot can be prevented from controlling anon-functioning instrument.

The mounting barrier can, in one embodiment, operate mechanically and/orelectromagnetically, having for example a movable protrusion or bar,which in the extended state positively prevents attachment to the robotassembly. The mounting barrier can, in one embodiment, be actuated bythe drive unit, mechanically or by sensor actuation, for example by aprotrusion of the drive unit operating a lever of the mounting barrieror the drive unit being detected by a sensor of the mounting barrier,particularly by means of a mechanical switch, inductively, capacitively,optically and/or using RFID. To this end, at least one drive unit canhave an RFID transponder, the mounting barrier an RFID reader.

Additionally or alternatively to a mounting barrier, the robot assemblycan have a presence detector for detecting the presence of a drive uniton a robot-controlled instrument. To this end a sensor, particularly amechanical, inductive, capacitive, optical and/or RFID sensor or readercan be provided, in particular preferably on a robot, particularly at aninterface of the robot for connection of the instrument interface of theinstrument.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an instrument magazineis provided for storing one or more instruments of the instrumentassembly, so that, particularly during OR operation, instruments of theinstrument assembly that are optionally not used or not robot-controlledcan be stored or stowed, in particular instruments equipped with amodular drive unit. Additionally or alternatively, the instrumentmagazine can be configured to store one or more instrument shafts and/ormodular drive units of the instrument assembly separately or isolatedfrom one another. In one embodiment, the instrument magazine can beconfigured as a translational and/or rotary substitution magazine which,by translational and/or rotary motion, can selectively positiondifferent instruments at the same location for accommodation by a robotof the robot assembly.

By means of an instrument magazine, the robot assembly can, particularlyduring an operation, be easily equipped with different instruments. Tothis end, a contact surface of the instrument magazine is preferablyconfigured sterile or sterilizable for storing the instrument assembly,or encased in a sterile shell. In this connection, the robot of therobot assembly preferably carries out automatically the application orremoval of an instrument into or from the instrument magazine,respectively, so that, advantageously, no additional auxiliary device orno additional robot is needed for changing the instrument.

In a further development, the instrument magazine has a power supplymeans for contacting or non-contacting power supply to one or moreinstruments or drive units stored in the magazine. Contact-free powersupply can for example be accomplished by means of a transformer magnetarrangement without a closed iron core, wherein the power supply meansand drive unit(s) have primary and secondary coil(s). Power transmissioncan preferably be accomplished in the medium-frequency range. In oneembodiment, rechargeable energy storage units of the drive units can becharged, by means of contacting or contact-less power supply to driveunits stored in the instrument magazine. Accordingly, in one embodimentof the present invention, one or more drive units of the instrumentassembly have rechargeable energy storage units.

Additionally or alternatively to supplying power, at least two of theinstrument magazine, the instrument assembly and the robot assembly,particularly the instrument magazine and the instrument assembly, canhave a communication means for uni- or bidirectional wired or wireless,particularly inductive or radio-based, communication between at leasttwo of the instrument magazine, the instrument assembly and the robotassembly, particularly between the instrument magazine and theinstrument assembly. In particular, at least one of the instrumentmagazine, the instrument assembly and the robot assembly can have asender and at least one other of the instrument magazine, the instrumentassembly and the robot assembly can have a receiver. A status of theinstruments stored in the instrument magazine can thereby be queriedand/or such instruments initialized, (re)calibrated and/or reset. Inparticular, therefore, the instrument magazine and the instrumentassembly, the instrument magazine and the robot assembly, in particulara control of the robot assembly, and/or the instrument magazine and therobot assembly, particularly a control of the robot assembly, can havethe same or different communication means, particularly one or more ofthe previously described communication means.

For power supply to drive units positioned on a robotcontrolled-instrument, these are, in one embodiment, connected with astationary power source through a sterile cable connection. Additionallyor alternatively, a contact-free power supply can be provided, asdescribed previously with reference to power supply to drive unitsstored in an instrument magazine and by way of example also in EP 2 396796 A1 and EP 2 340 611 A1, the disclosure content whereof is completelyincorporated into the disclosure of the present invention. As describedpreviously, additionally or alternatively to a power supply, a uni- orbidirectional signal transmission can be provided between a drive unitof a robot-controlled instrument and an instrument control, which isgenerally considered to be a part of the robot assembly. Additionally oralternatively, as described previously, a power and/or signaltransmission can also be provided through an interface of the robotassembly and an interface of the electronic and/or the drive partconnected with it. Consequently, according to one aspect of the presentinvention, the surgical robot system can generally have a sterile cableconnection, an interface connection or a wireless power and/or signaltransmission means for power and/or signal transmission between theinstrument assembly and the robot assembly or an instrument magazine.

It is likewise possible to supply a drive unit of a robot-controlledinstrument through its instrument interface with the robot.

Particularly in the latter case, upon changing an instrument or a driveunit from an instrument magazine on or at a robot and the reverse, i.e.upon connecting or removing the instrument or the drive unit, its powersupply is interrupted. For this case in particular, one or more driveunits, according to one aspect of the present invention, each have anelectrical energy storage unit for at least temporary autonomous powersupply to the drive unit. The energy storage unit is preferably soconfigured that it can supply power to at least a control and/orcommunication means of an electronic part of a drive unit, at leastduring a changeover period, or that it can supply a control and/orcommunication means with power for at least 10 seconds and/or for atmost 5 minutes.

In a further development it is also possible to so dimension the energystorage unit that it can autonomously supply the drive unit with power,particularly during an operation or for at least 30 minutes and/or forat most 5 hours. In this manner, a cable-connected power supply to theinstruments, with consequent space constraints and/or interferences, canadvantageously be dispensed with.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the surgical robotsystem has a first communication channel and one or more additionalcommunication channels between the robot assembly, particular aninstrument control, and one or more instruments of the instrumentassembly. Reliability of operation in particular can be increasedthereby.

In a further development, one or more of these additional communicationchannels operate on other physical carriers or media than the firstcommunication channel, so as to be not only redundant but also diversefrom it. For example, one of the first and an additional communicationchannel can be configured current- or voltage-based, the other of thefirst and the additional communication channel electromagnetic, optical,inductive or capacitive. At least one additional communication channelis preferably so configured, according to the de-energize-to-tripprinciple, that a loss of a signal on this communication channel isidentified as an error. At least one additional communication channelcan in particular be configured for transmitting only statusinformation. Preferably, the robot assembly and/or the instrumentassembly, particularly the robot-controlled instrument assembly issafely shut down if an error signal is transmitted on at least oneadditional communication channel, this being understood to also meangenerally, as described earlier, the complementary loss of a releasesignal. In one embodiment, the presence of an instrument equipped with adrive unit can be transmitted or detected by means of the first and/oran additional communication channel.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a surgical robotsystem has a single- or multipart, particularly optical and/or acoustic,display for displaying a status of an instrument of the instrumentassembly, particularly a changeover status and/or operating status. Bychangeover status is meant in particular, in the present case, thestatus of an instrument which is to be changed over, i.e. attached to arobot of the robot assembly or separated from it. By operating status ismeant in particular, in the present case, the status of an instrument,which describes its operational readiness, particularly its (remaining)lifespan, and/or its prior operating record, in particular itscumulative operating time or its cumulative number of uses.

In this manner a clear and rapid overview can be made available to theOR personnel of which instruments are to be changed next or areavailable.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for,particularly selectively, equipping a robot assembly of a surgical robotsystem according to the invention with one or more instruments of theinstrument assembly and/or for, particularly selectively, equipping oneor more such instruments with a drive unit.

According to one embodiment, the method includes registration of aninstrument by a modular operating unit during coupling or connection ofthis operating unit with the instrument, in particular the instrumentshaft. The registration can in particular occur automatically. In theprocess, in a further development, particularly following establishmentof a mechanical connection between the instrument and the drive unit,coupling with an instrument of the drive unit is detected and aregistration procedure for concretely defining the connected instrumentis activated. The instrument can actively identify itself or activelytransmit signals or data to the drive unit, or be passively identified.

In one embodiment, the instrument data registered in the drive unit, forexample an identification number and/or specification of the instrumentshaft, perhaps its degrees of freedom and/or kinematic parameters,particularly individual calibration data, are transmitted to the robotassembly or its instrument control, preferably during registration orfollowing connection to a robot.

In one embodiment, data of registered instruments are stored in therobot assembly, particularly its instrument control, particularly in adatabase, and preferably updated periodically or on an event-drivenbasis.

In one embodiment, one or more instruments, particularly instrumentshafts, of the instrument assembly are stored in an instrument magazinewithout a drive unit, the application of the drive unit to an instrumentoccurring during the changeover process. For this purpose, in a furtherdevelopment, the instrument magazine has a drive unit manipulator forhandling the drive unit during the instrument change. The drive unitmanipulator preferably has no degrees of freedom of its own—with theexception of a tensioning mechanism for the drive unit; all positioningmovements are carried out by the instrument-controlling robot(s) of therobot assembly. The number of drive units and/or the total number of theactuated degrees of freedom contained in the robot system can thereby bereduced. In addition, this concept can reduce the expenditure for powersupply to the drive units, as no power supply is required for theinstruments without drive units stored in the magazine; in oneembodiment, power supply to the drive unit need only be ensured for theperiod wherein it is not adapted to the manipulator arm and suppliedwith power from there.

The power supply to the drive unit during this period can beaccomplished in particular through the drive unit manipulator.

In order to be able to handle different drive units, the drive unitmanipulator can optionally equipped with a plurality of grippers, whichcan also have differing designs. In a further development, the driveunit manipulator has one or more translational and/or rotational degreesof freedom, so as to make available the respectively required unit.

Two or more of the aspects explained earlier and their embodiments anddevelopments can be advantageously combined with one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and features will be apparent from the claims and thedescription of exemplary embodiments. These show, in partially schematicform:

FIG. 1: an instrument of an instrument assembly according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2: an instrument of an instrument assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present invention in a view corresponding to that ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3: an instrument of an instrument assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present invention in a view corresponding to that ofFIGS. 1, 2;

FIG. 4, 4A: a robot surgical system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention with the instrument of FIG. 1 in perspective explodedview;

FIG. 5: the robot surgical system according to FIG. 4 in the assembledstate;

FIG. 6, 7: details for connecting the instrument of the robot surgicalsystem according to FIG. 4, 5 in perspective view (FIG. 6) or incross-section (FIG. 7);

FIG. 8: a method according to one embodiment of the present inventionfor assembling an instrument assembly according to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5.

FIG. 9: a dynamic sterile barrier of the instrument assembly accordingto FIGS. 1, 4 and 8;

FIG. 10: various mechanical codings of drive units of the instrumentassembly according to one of FIGS. 1 through 8 and 11(a), 11(b);

FIG. 11A, 11B: an instrument of an instrument assembly according toanother embodiment of the present invention in a view corresponding tothat of FIG. 1 with a drive unit housing part separated from a drivetrain housing part (FIG. 11(a)) and combined with it (FIG. 11(b));

FIG. 12A: a robot surgical system according to another embodiment of thepresent invention in perspective view;

FIG. 12B: a plan view of an operating area of the robot surgical systemaccording to FIG. 12(a);

FIG. 13: a method for assembling the robot surgical system according toFIGS. 4 through 7;

FIG. 14: the sequence of the method according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 15: a sterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of asurgical robot system according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 16-20, 21A, 21B, 22-24: one sterilizable drive unit each of asurgical instrument of a surgical robot system according to otherembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 25: a portion of the sterilizable drive unit according to one ofFIGS. 15 through 24;

FIG. 26: a surgical robot system according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 27A, 27B: a robot-controlled instrument of an instrument assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28: a robot-controlled instrument of an instrument assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29: a manual operating unit of an instrument assembly according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 30A, 30B: the surgical robot system of FIG. 27A in another viewingdirection (FIG. 30A) and without an attached drive unit (FIG. 30B);

FIG. 31: a surgical robot system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention with an instrument magazine; and

FIGS. 32A-32D, 33A-33D: a method according to the invention forautomatically equipping a robot assembly with an instrument of theinstrument assembly and an instrument of this instrument assembly with adrive unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an instrument 1 of an instrument assembly according to oneembodiment of the present invention in cross-section, with an instrumenthousing 2, having an instrument shaft 3, a drive train housing partbuilt integral with it, in which a drive train assembly 11 through 18,explained in more detail later, is positioned, and a drive unit housingpart with a hollow space built integrally therewith, in which a driveunit 4 is accommodated. A cover-like seal 5 provides a sterile seal foran insertion opening of the hollow space. A dynamic sterile barrier 8,through which the drive train assembly can be actuated, provides sterileseparation between the hollow space and the surroundings. In onevariation, a degree of freedom, actuated and/or rotary in particular,can be provided or configured between the instrument housing 2 and theinstrument shaft 3.

The drive unit 4 provides the mechanical drive power for all activedegrees of freedom of the surgical instrument 1. It is positioned on theproximal end of the instrument, and is designed as an independentmodule, the connection whereof to the instrument can be released. Thenumber of active degrees of freedom, range of motion and power data areof universal design, so that the drive unit is replaceable and is suitedfor driving various instruments. Likewise it is conceivable to makeavailable different drive units, for example to be able to use specialinstruments, with a large number of active degrees of freedom or otherpeculiarities, with the robot system.

The drive unit 4 is positioned in the desired position on and attachedto the surgical instrument using a drive interface. It also includes aplurality of separable couplings which establish the flow of forcebetween the individual drives of the drive unit and instrument-sidedrive trains of the drive train assembly. The separable couplings in thedrive interface can be designed for turning, or rotary or fortranslational positioning motions; arbitrary combinations of the twoprinciples are also possible.

A robot surgical system usually includes a few non-sterile components,for example a robot (arm) and the drive unit. These components areisolated from the sterile components of the robot surgical system, so asto prevent contamination of the operating area. In one embodiment, astatic sterile barrier is implemented as a single-use film sleeve.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the instrument 1 and the drive unit 4 forman integral unit during an operative intervention. In the process, thedrive unit 4 is positioned with a lateral offset with respect to thelongitudinal axis (vertical in FIG. 1) of the instrument shaft 3,hereafter also called the shaft axis for the sake of brevity, andisolated from the sterile portion of the instrument 1 by a separatedynamic sterile barrier 8. Consequently the separable instrumentinterface also acts simultaneously as a sterile barrier between thenon-sterile drive unit 4 and the sterile instrument 1. The separatedynamic sterile barrier 8 can be removed from the instrument 1 after anintervention and be configured as a single-use item or as are-processable component.

At the proximal end of the instrument 1 is located the housing 2, in thedrive shaft housing part whereof the drive trains of the kinematics andof the end effector are housed, which are located on the distal end ofthe instrument shaft 3. The integrally constructed drive shaft housingpart has a hollow space for accommodating the non-sterile drive unit 4.The seal cover 5 isolates the non-sterile drive unit 4 from the sterileportion of the instrument 1. Mechanical mounting of the drive unit 4 inthe housing 2 can for example be accomplished using attachment means orelements 6, 7 located on the seal cover. These elements can for examplebe implemented as linear or visco-elastic springs, and thus generate apreload force between the cover and the drive unit. Additionally oralternatively, the drive unit 4 can be positively mounted in the housing2 with tensioning or latching mechanisms.

The hollow space in the housing 2 is sterile prior to the insertion ofthe drive unit 4, but it is contaminated by the insertion of thenon-sterile drive unit 4. Consequently, in this embodiment, a separatesterile barrier 8 is integrated between the drive unit 4 and the bottomof the hollow space, which isolates or separates the contaminated hollowspace from the sterile remainder of the instrument 1. The dynamicsterile barrier 8 contains a plurality of motion transmission elementsfor the individual drives 9 and 10 of the drive unit, which can bedesigned as rotary and/or linear drives. When inserting the drive unitinto the housing 2, the individual drives 9 or 10 are connected withinstrument-side coupling elements 11 or 12 respectively, and throughthem by means of traction cables 13, 14 with the distal instrumentkinematics and the distal end effector (not shown). In the exemplaryembodiment, the traction cables 13, 14 actuating the instrumentkinematics and the end-effector are guided through pulleys 15 and 16, or17 and 18 respectively, into the instrument shaft.

In the schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the drive unit 4 isinserted proximally, or from the side facing away from the instrumentshaft 3, into the hollow space of the housing 2. Alternatively,instruments are also conceivable wherein the drive unit 4 is inserteddistally, or from the side facing the instrument shaft 3, or laterally,through the outer surface of the housing 2.

FIG. 2 shows an instrument of an instrument assembly according toanother embodiment of the present invention in a view corresponding tothat of FIG. 1. Corresponding elements are designated with identicalreference symbols, so that for this purpose, reference is made to theforegoing description and only the differences are discussed hereafter.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the sterile barrier 19 isintegrated into the instrument for isolating the non-sterile drive unit4 from the sterile instrument, and is thus processed together with theinstrument. The hollow space in the housing 2 is sterile prior toinsertion of the drive unit 4, but it is contaminated by the insertionof the non-sterile drive unit 4. Consequently a dynamic sterile barrier19 is integrated into the housing 2, which isolates the contaminatedhollow space from the sterile portion of the instrument 1. Theintegrated dynamic sterile barrier 19 can, for example, have gap orlabyrinth seals or contacting seals, through which the instrument-sidedrive trains, here their traction cables 13, 14 are guided. As in theembodiment of FIG. 1 with the separate, replaceable dynamic sterilebarrier 8, the drive train assembly can consequently be actuated throughthe dynamic sterile barrier; in particular, the forces and motions canbe transmitted through the dynamic sterile barrier, while it providessterile separation between the hollow space contaminated by thenon-sterile drive unit 4 and the sterile surroundings.

FIG. 3 shows an instrument of an instrument assembly according toanother embodiment of the present invention in a view corresponding tothat of FIGS. 1, 2. Corresponding elements are designated with identicalreference symbols, so that for this purpose reference is made to theforegoing description and only the differences are discussed hereafter.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, a housing 102 is located on theproximal end of the instrument 101 with an instrument shaft 3, a drivetrain housing part built integrally with it, in which are housed thedrive trains of the kinematics and the end effector which are located atthe distal end of the instrument shaft 103, and a drive train housingpart built integral with it with a hollow space for accommodating anon-sterile drive unit 104. A seal cover 105 isolates the non-steriledrive unit 4 from the sterile portion of the instrument 101 or thesurroundings, or seals off the hollow space in sterile fashion.Mechanical mounting of the drive unit 104 in the housing 102 can forexample be accomplished with one or more attachment means or elements106, 107 located on the seal cover 105. These elements can for examplebe configured as linear or visco-elastic springs and thus generate apreload force between the cover and the drive unit. Additionally oralternatively, the drive unit 104 can be positively mounted inside thehousing 102 with tensioning or latching mechanisms.

The drive unit has a plurality of individual drives 109 and 110, whichcan be configured as rotary and/or translational or linear drives. Wheninserting the drive unit into the housing 102, the individual drives 109or 110 are connected with the respective instrument-side couplingelements 111 or 112, and through their traction cables 113 and 114 withthe distal instrument kinematics and the distal end effector (notshown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the instrument kinematics and the endeffector are actuated with the traction cable 113 and 114, which areguided by pulleys 115 and 116 or 117 and 118 respectively into theinstrument shaft. The hollow space in the housing 102 is sterile priorto insertion of the drive unit 104, but it is contaminated by theinsertion of the non-sterile drive unit 104. Consequently, a sterilebarrier 119 is integrated into the housing, which isolates thecontaminated hollow space from the sterile portion of the instrument 101or from the surroundings. The integrated dynamic sterile barrier 119 canbe integrated, as explained previously with reference to FIG. 2, in theform of gap or labyrinth seals or as contacting seals of theinstrument-side drive trains for example.

FIG. 4 shows a robot surgical system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention with the instrument of FIG. 1, in perspective view,FIG. 4 the robot surgical system in the assembled state, FIGS. 6 and 7details regarding connection of the instrument in perspective view (FIG.6) and in cross-section (FIG. 7).

The robot surgical system has a robot or manipulator arm 201, theproximal base 202 whereof can be mounted relative to a patient (notshown). The manipulator arm contains preferably 6 or more actuatedjoints, so as to be able to freely position the distal end 203 of themanipulator arm 201 in space. The manipulator arm 201, including itsdistal end 203, is surrounded by a static sterile barrier in the form ofa sterile shell 204 so as to prevent contamination of the sterileoperating area by non-sterile robot components. A surgical instrument205 is mounted onto a distal end 203, thus encased in sterile fashion,by means of a sterile electromechanical interface, hereafter also calledthe instrument adapter 210.

The surgical instrument 205 corresponds to the instrument 1 previouslydescribed with reference to FIG. 1, so that reference can be made to itsdescription for additional information.

At the proximal end of the instrument 205 is located an instrumenthousing 206, which has a mechanical interface to the instrument adapter210. In the exemplary embodiment shown, an instrument shaft 209 islocated distally on the housing 206, which bears distal instrumentkinematics 207 and a surgical end effector 208 and is made integrallywith a drive unit housing part and a drive train housing part madeintegrally therewith, or is separately mounted on the drive trainhousing part. The drive unit housing part and the drive train housingpart together constitute the one-piece instrument housing 206 of thisembodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4, 4A, 5-7, the drive unit 212 isproximally inserted into the housing 206 together with a separatedynamic sterile barrier 211. A seal cover 213 isolates the non-steriledrive unit 212 from the sterile operating area.

A detail view of a possible embodiment of the connection between thesterile instrument adapter 210 and the distal end 203 of the manipulatorarm 201, by which an airtight separation of the manipulator arm 201 fromthe sterile operating area is achieved, is shown in FIG. 6. In addition,this embodiment is distinguished by an especially simple embodiment ofthe sterile shell 204, which can be made from a thin-walled film sleeve,made of plastic film for example. The encasing of the distal end 203 ofthe manipulator arm 201 is preferably made as a thin-walled formedplastic part, so as to simplify the application of the sterile shell 204onto the manipulator arm 201. This formed part can for example be madeof a deep-drawn or blow-moulded plastic film and is then welded to thethin-walled film sleeve. Due to the simple manufacture of the sterileencasement 204, running costs to the user for single-use items arereduced. As the drive unit 212 is not located inside the sterile shell204 in the exemplary embodiments according to the invention, notransmission of the drive motions through the sterile shell 204 to theinstrument 205 is necessary.

If electrical signals and power required for operation and for controlneed to be routed to the drive unit 212 and consequently through thesterile shell 204, a plurality of sockets 215 are integrated into arecess 216 at the distal end 203 of the manipulator arm 201. Similarly,a plurality of contact pins 214 are integrated into a radialprotuberance 217 of the sterile instrument adapter 210. The recess 216and the radial protuberance 217 between the distal end 203 of themanipulator arm and the sterile instrument adapter 210 constitute amechanical plug connection, the sockets 215 and contact pins 214 anelectrical connection of the electromechanical interface 210.

The mechanical plug connection 216, 217 is designed as a form-fittingconnection wherein the wall thickness of the static sterile barrierconstituted by the sterile shell 204 lying in between is taken intoaccount, so as to achieve the most exact and tilt-resistant connectionpossible between the sterile instrument adapter 210 and the distal end203 of the manipulator arm 201. Furthermore, the connection between theinterface 216 and 217 leads the electrical connection between thecontact pins 214 and the sockets 215. Due to the prior mechanicalrouting of the insertion components 203 and 210, the connection of theelectrical contacts 214 and 215 is considerably simplified andconsequently more robust under field operating conditions. In order tomake the sterile shell 204 as simple and as cost-effective as possible,no electrical contacts are integrated. The electrical contact betweenthe contact pins 214 and the sockets 215 are created by the contact pinsperforating the sterile shell 204 at the contact sites during insertionof the sterile instrument adapter 210 at the distal end 203. To thisend, the contact pins 214 are pointed at the end that is inserted intothe sockets 215. FIG. 7 clarifies the insertion procedure of the sterileinstrument adapter 210 onto the distal end 203 of the sterile-encasedmanipulator arm 201.

FIG. 13 shows a method for assembling the robot surgical systemdescribed earlier:

First, the manipulator arm 201 is packed in sterile fashion with thesterile shell 204 (step S10). Then the sterile instrument adapter 210 isinserted with its radial protuberance 217 into the recess 216 at thedistal end 203 of the manipulator arm 201 and a mechanical plugconnection of the electromechanical interface 210 is thus established(step S20, FIG. 7, left or “I”). The leading mechanical plug connection216, 217 provides sufficient guidance of the sterile instrument adapter210 into the correct orientation relative to the distal end 203 of themanipulator arm 201, so that the static sterile barrier in the form ofthe sterile encasement 204 is perforated by the contact pins 214 and theelectrical contact is generated between the contact pins 214 and thesockets 215 (step S30). Finally, the sterile instrument adapter 210 ismechanically mounted in the accommodation 215 at the distal end 203 ofthe manipulator arm 201 (step S40; FIG. 7, right or “II”). This can beaccomplished by means of a screw connection for example, the sterileshell 204 being perforated by the screw as described in connection withthe contact pins 214.

The assembly of the electromechanical interface 210 on the robot wasexplained above. The electromechanical interface 210 can also bepositioned on the drive unit housing part in identical or similarfashion. For example, this can have a sterile barrier in the form of athrough opening which is provided with a sterile seal by a lip seal, andwhich is perforated by contact pins of the interface 210 when it isconnected by means of a plug connection with the drive unit housingpart.

Prior to a robot surgical intervention, all required instruments arefirst prepared and each equipped with its own drive unit. In theprocess, the instruments are not allowed to be contaminated by thenon-sterile drive units.

FIG. 8 shows in a figure sequence, FIG. 14 in a flow diagram, a methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention for assembling theinstrument assembly of FIG. 1, 4 or 5, particularly for equipping with adrive unit. The instrument of FIG. 8 corresponds to the instrument 1 ofFIG. 1 or 205 of FIGS. 4, 5.

For inserting the drive unit, two persons are advantageous:

-   -   A sterile OR worker for handling the instruments and for        carrying out “sterile manipulations,”    -   A non-sterile OR worker for handling the drive unit and for        carrying out all “non-sterile manipulations.”

Prior to installation of the drive unit, all required components arepre-positioned, the non-sterile drive unit 212 being pre-positionedseparately from the sterile components (instrument, separate dynamicsterile barrier 211, seal cover 213, sterile protection 601), so as toavoid contamination. Provided that seal cover 213 is an integralcomponent of the instrument 201, the sterile OR worker opens the sealcover 206 on the proximal instrument housing 206, before the drive unitis inserted. Alternatively, the seal cover 213 can be removable from theproximal instrument housing 206. In this case, it is set aside by thesterile OR worker. Alternatively, the seal cover 206 can also bepre-positioned separately from the instrument 201.

In step S100 (see FIG. 14; FIG. 8: “I”), the sterile OR worker sets thesterile protection 601 on the opened proximal instrument housing 206, soas not to contaminate the sterile instrument 201 when inserting thedrive unit 212. In step S200 (FIG. 8: “II”), the sterile OR workerinserts the sterile barrier 211 into the proximal instrument housing206. This process step is required only in the case of a separatedynamic sterile barrier (see 8 in FIG. 1: 211 in FIG. 8) and isdispensed with in the case of an integrated sterile barrier (see 19 inFIG. 2; 119 in FIG. 3). Following this preparatory work, the non-sterileOR worker, in step S300 (FIG. 8: “III”) can insert, and mount ifapplicable, the drive unit 212 into the proximal instrument housing 206.Next, the non-sterile OR worker, in S400 (FIG. 8: “IV”), removes thesterile protection 601 from the proximal instrument housing 206.Finally, the sterile OR worker sets the seal cover 213 on the proximalinstrument housing 206 (FIG. 14: S500; FIG. 8: “VI”). The non-steriledrive unit 212 is thereby enclosed in the proximal instrument housing206.

FIG. 9 shows in a perspective full (left in FIG. 9) or sectional view(right in FIG. 9) a dynamic sterile barrier of the instrument assemblyaccording to FIGS. 1, 4 and 8. The sterile barrier 211 of FIG. 9corresponds to the sterile barrier 8 of FIG. 1 or 211 of FIG. 8. Itconsists of a rigid intermediate plate 701, on the side 702 whereofrests the drive unit. The side 703 facing the side 702 lies on thebottom surface of the hollow space in the proximal instrument housing206. The outer dimensions of the rigid plate 702 are somewhat offsetwith respect to the boundary of the hollow space in the proximalinstrument housing 206, so as to be able to manually insert the sterilebarrier without great effort. So as to achieve better isolation orsterile sealing off of the drive unit 212 from the sterile portion ofthe instrument, a circumferential contacting seal (not shown) canalternatively be integrated on the side 703 or the circumferentialsurface 704 of the rigid plate 702. Such a seal can in particular have aseamless foamed-in-place seal, of polyurethane for example, and/or anannular elastomer seal, particularly an O-ring, seal lip or the like.

Apertures are provided in the rigid plate 701 corresponding to thenumber of actuated degrees of freedom or drive trains. In each of theseapertures is integrated one motion transmission element 705, whichcouples an individual drive of the drive unit 212 to the associatedinstrument-side drive train while ensuring sterility. The right portionof FIG. 9 shows a section through the sterile barrier 211, so as toclarify a possible embodiment of a motion transmission element 705 forlinear positioning motions. In the example shown, the motiontransmission element 705 is configured as a thin-walled membranestructure. The coupling elements of the individual drive are positionedin a cylindrical eversion 706 in the centre of the motion transmissionelement 705. The instrument-side coupling element 11 (see FIG. 1)surrounds, in the coupled state, the eversion 706. In order to makepossible for the eversion 706 to move in a direction normal to the rigidplate 701, the eversion 706 is fastened with an elastic membrane 707into the aperture of the rigid plate. This separate dynamic sterilebarrier is consequently designed to be movable.

One advantage of a replaceable instrument drive is the possibility ofbeing able to also use instruments with variant requirements for thedrive unit (number of actuated degrees of freedom, positioning forces,etc.) when necessary. So as to rule out incorrect operation and damageto the instruments, a confusion-proof design of the drive units isproposed.

FIG. 10 shows various mechanical codings of drive units of theinstrument assembly according to one of FIGS. 1 through 8 and 11A, 11B,so as to prevent confusion of individual drive units. The figure showsviews of three drive units 801, 802, 803 from the direction of thecoupling elements of the individual drives. The drive units 801, 802,803 correspond for example to the drive unit 4 of FIG. 1, 2 or 3, 212 ofFIGS. 4 and 8 or 914 of FIGS. 11A, 11B.

They differ in the configuration of the individual drives. By way ofexample, drive unit 801 (left in FIG. 10) has individual drives 805 a,805 b, 805 c, 805 d. Drive unit 802 (middle of FIG. 10) has by way ofexample individual drive 807 a, 807 b, 807 c, 807 d, 807 e. Drive unit803 (right in FIG. 10) has by way of example individual drive 809 a, 809b, 809 c, 809 d.

In order to rule out confusion of the drive units during installation inan instrument, the housings 804 a, 804 b and 804 c of drive units 801,802 and 803 respectively have different mechanical coding 806, 808 and810 respectively. In the example shown, the mechanical codings 806, 808,810 are each implemented as a combination of one or more grooves, whichextend in the direction of insertion of the drive units 801, 802, 803into the proximal instrument housing 206. Due to the different groovepatterns 806, 808, 810, confusion of the drive units is ruled out.

FIGS. 11A, 11B show an instrument of an instrument assembly according toanother embodiment of the present invention in a view corresponding tothat of FIG. 1, with a drive unit housing part separate from a drivetrain housing part (FIG. 11A) or joined to it (FIG. 11B). The instrumentcan correspond with the embodiments described above except for thedifferences explained hereafter, so that reference can be made in thisconnection to their description and only differences are describedhereafter.

In this embodiment, the drive unit housing part constitutes, with thedrive unit, an independent functional unit and can, if necessary, beseparated during operation from the remainder of the instrument,particularly the drive axes housing part. For the drive unit, asterilizable and multiply re-usable drive unit housing part is provided,which is easier for OR personnel to handle than a sterile shell in theform of a thin film sleeve. Alternatively, the sterile drive unithousing part can also be designed as a single-use item. Unlike theembodiments described above, separation of the drive unit housing partwith the drive unit and the rest of the instrument, in particular thedrive axes housing part, is possible, so that a drive unit can be usedfor different instruments during an operation.

FIGS. 11A, 11B show the structure of the functional units of theinstrument 901 that can be separably joined together, namely theseparate drive unit housing part 902 with the drive unit 914 (left inFIG. 11A) and the drive axes housing part 903 (right in FIG. 11A).

The drive axes housing part 903 is integrally formed at the proximal endof the instrument shaft 904, or joined to it, particularly separably.Positioned in the drive axes housing part 903 are the drive trains ofthe kinematics and of the end effector, which are located at the distalend of the instrument shaft 904. The drive axes housing part 903 has anadapter 905 for accommodating the drive unit 914 packaged under sterileconditions by the drive unit housing part 902. In the drive axes housingpart 903, a plurality of coupling elements 906, 907 and traction cables908, 909 of instrument-side drive trains are provided, which couple therespective individual drives of the drive unit 902 with the distalinstrument kinematics or the distal end effector. Besides the couplingelements 906, 907, and traction cables, the drive trains have pulleys910 through 913, by which these are guided into the instrument shaft904.

The drive unit housing part 902 has a non-sterile drive unit 914, whichis housed in a sterile housing 915 made of a rigid material.Advantageous materials for the sterile housing 915 are in particularcorrosion-resistant steels, titanium or medical-grade thermoplastic orthermosetting plastics. A seal cover 916 isolates the non-sterile driveunit 914 from the sterile operating area. Mechanical mounting of thedrive unit 914 in the sterile housing 915 can for example beaccomplished using one or more attachment means or elements 917 locatedon the seal cover 916. These elements can for example be configured aslinear or visco-elastic springs, and thus generate a preload forcebetween the cover and the drive unit. Additionally or alternatively, thedrive unit 914 can be positively mounted in the housing 915 usingtensioning or latching mechanisms. In order to isolate the non-steriledrive unit 914 from the sterile operating area, a dynamic sterilebarrier 920 is provided, which contains a plurality of motiontransmission elements 921, 922 for the individual drive 918, 919 of thedrive unit. The individual drives 918, 919 can be configured as rotaryand/or linear drives. The sterile barrier 920 can be configured eitheras an integral component, not separable without destruction, of thehousing 915, or as a separate component removable by the user andseparably connected with the housing 915. It can be configured as asingle-use item or as a re-processable component. The housing 915, theseal cover 916 and the dynamic sterile barrier 920 together constitutethe drive unit housing art 902, which accommodates the non-sterile driveunit 914 under sterile conditions. This can for example, as describedearlier with reference to FIGS. 8, 14, be placed in the drive unithousing part 902.

FIG. 11B shows the drive unit housing part 902 with the drive axeshousing part 903 connected to the instrument 901. Motion transmissionfrom the drive unit 902 to the drive trains 906 through 913 isaccomplished by connecting the individual drives 918, 919 with therespective instrument-side coupling elements 906, 907 by or through themotion transmission elements 921, 922. Coupling of the drive unit 914 tothe instrument-side drive trains is accomplished during installation ofthe drive unit housing part 902 to the adapter 905.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 11A, 11B, the adapter 905 for the drive unithousing part 902 is located for example on the drive axes housing part903. Alternatively, instruments 901 are also conceivable wherein theadapter 905 is located distally or laterally. Additionally oralternatively, the confusion-proof configuration of the drive unitsexplained with reference to FIG. 10 can be provided in this embodiment:here the mechanical coding can be provided either solely on the housing915 or both on the drive unit 914 and also on the housing 915.

In this embodiment, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, 4 through 11,the drive unit is positioned with a lateral offset relative to the shaftaxis. Consequently, reference is again made to the remainingdescription. As shown with reference to FIG. 3, however, a drive unitcoaxial with the instrument shaft 904 is also fundamentally possible.

FIG. 12A shows a robot surgery system according to another embodiment ofthe present invention in perspective view, FIG. 12B a plan view on itsoperating area.

In this embodiment, the radial dimensions both of the instrument and ofthe manipulator arm in the region of the instrument shaft are minimized.With this measure, the collision risk in multi-arm applications or withseveral robots cooperating can be reduced. For the user, this meansincreased flexibility in trocar placement and/or smaller trocar spacing.

In order to reduce spacing, the drive unit of the instrument ispositioned with a lateral offset relative to the shaft axis. Thus thebulkier components of the robot system, particularly the distal end ofthe manipulator arm, the drive unit, mechanical interfaces to theinstrument can be positioned outside the narrower interaction radius ofthe manipulator arm. FIG. 12A shows by way of example an applicationwith three manipulator arms or robots. Each of the manipulator arms1101, 1102 and 1103 bears at its distal end a surgical instrument 1104,1105 and 1106 respectively, each having a drive unit at its proximalend, which is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of theinstrument shaft 1107, 1108 and 1109 respectively. From the deploymentof the manipulator arms 1101, 1102, 1103 relative to the operating area1114 and the proximal dimensions of the instruments 1104, 1105, 1106result the penetration points of the instruments 1110, 1111, 1112 of theinstrument shafts 1107, 1108, 1109 through the abdominal wall 1113. FIG.12B shows the minimum spacing 1115, d(min, 1) of the penetration points1110, 1111, 1112 resulting from this arrangement.

FIG. 15 shows a sterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of asurgical robot system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

The sterilizable drive unit has an actuator assembly with one or moreactuators in the form of force- and/or position-controlled electricmotors, of which two are shown by way of example in FIG. 15, the driveaxes whereof are designated 2001A and 2001B respectively. In theexemplary embodiment, these drive axis 2001A, 2001B are actuatable intranslation (vertical in FIGS. 1 through 25), for example by theelectric motors having suitable conversion gearing for converting rotaryinto translational drive motion, or are configured as linear electricmotors.

The actuator assembly is separably coupled by means of an interface withan instrument shaft of the surgical instrument of the surgical robotsystem (not shown). The interface has a shell 100 (see FIG. 25), whichseals penetration openings 2003.1 of a housing 2003 of the drive unitfluid-tight and encases a part of a drive axis 2001A, 2001B of theactuator assembly reaching through one of these penetration openings.The shell 100 is of bellows-like configuration, or has a folding and isprovided for following translational motions of the drive axes 2001A,2001B. The shell 100 can be connected with the housing separably,particularly with screws, or inseparably, particularly permanentlybonded, preferably by welding or gluing. Translational motions of thedrive axes 2001A, 2001B actuate corresponding degrees of freedom of anend effector of the instrument shaft (not shown).

The drive unit also has a component assembly with a plurality ofelectronic components consisting of position sensors for determiningpositions of the actuators, of which two position sensors 2002A, 2002Bare shown by way of example in FIG. 15. The drive unit can optionallycontain other electronic components or component assemblies,particularly for signal detection, signal conditioning and/orprocessing, for controlling the motors and/or for communication with ahigher-level control.

The actuator assembly and the component assembly are positioned insidethe sterilizable housing 2003, which has two separably connectablehousing parts consisting of a housing vessel 2003.2 and a cover 2003.3screwed fluid-tight to it, between which is positioned an O-ring seal.

The two housing parts have a dimensionally stable housing wall 2003.4,which in the exemplary embodiment consists, as an outer wall, of metaland/or plastic.

On the inside of this housing wall 2003.4 is placed a thermal insulationlayer 2004, which in the exemplary embodiment is configured as a vacuuminsulation layer or has a vacuum insulation.

To this end, an inner housing wall is located parallel to the outerhousing wall 2003.4, or the outer housing wall 2003.4 is of double-wallconstruction. The outer and inner housing walls delimit between them anairtight space which is filled with air under low pressure or isevacuated. The inner housing wall can optionally be dispensed with,particularly in the case where the insulation layer is configuredwithout vacuum.

The thermal insulation layer 2004 covers the inner surface of the innerhousing wall 2003.4 completely except for the penetration openings2003.1 (see FIG. 25) or encloses the interior of the housing with theactuator and component assemblies, at least substantially completely. Inthis manner, heat entry into the interior of the housing duringtreatment with hot steam and/or air for sterilizing the unit can beminimized and consequently a thermal overloading, in particular of thetemperature-sensitive position sensors 2002A, 2002B, can be prevented.This insulation layer can, in one variation, have additionaldiscontinuities, particularly for cable feed-throughs, plug connectors,electrical contacts, screwed connections or the like.

FIG. 16 shows, in a view corresponding to that of FIG. 15, asterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.Matching features are designated with identical reference symbols, sothat reference is made to their description and only the differences inthe embodiments will be discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the thermal insulating layer is ofmultilayer construction and has two layers 2004.1, 2004.2, of which onehas in particular a barrier material, perhaps mineral wool or rigidpolyurethane foam, the other possibly being configured as a vacuuminsulation layer as previously described. The thermal insulation of thehousing 3 can thereby be further increased.

FIG. 17 shows, in a view corresponding to that of FIGS. 15, 16, asterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.Matching features are designated with identical reference symbols, sothat their description is referred to and only differences between theembodiments are discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 17, in addition to the thermal insulationlayer 2004, a thermal insulation layer 2005 is located on the housingwall 2003.4 between the component assembly 2002A, 2002B and the actuatorassembly, made for example in of plastic in the exemplary embodiment,with a heat conductivity λ<0.4 W/(K m). Heat conduction from theactuator assembly to the component assembly, and consequently the impactof temperature on the component assembly, can thereby be advantageouslyreduced. Such an additional thermal insulating layer 2005 can likewisealso be provided in a multi-layer thermal insulation layer 2004.1,2004.2 on the housing wall 2003.4, as explained with reference to FIG.16.

While in the embodiments of FIGS. 15 through 17 a thermal insulationlayer completely covers the inner surface of the outer housing wall2003.4, except for the penetration openings 2003.1, it is only placed onpart or sections of the housing wall 2003.4 in the embodiments explainedhereafter with reference to FIGS. 18 through 25, particularly at thelevel of the component assembly 2002A, 2002B, or facing said componentassembly.

FIG. 18 shows, in a view corresponding to that of FIGS. 15 through 17, asterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.Matching features are designated with identical reference symbols, sothat their description is referred to and only differences in theembodiments are discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18, stationary heat conduction means 2006 madeof copper, aluminium or the like reach through the thermal insulationlayer 2004. They are permanently connected to the actuator assembly andhave a heat dissipation surface 2006.1 on the outside of the housingwall 2003.4 and a heat absorption surface 2006.2, bonded with it, on theinside of the housing, which can be firmly fastened, in particularintegrally configured, with the attachment of the actuator assembly withthe housing. In particular, the heat absorption surface 2006.2 can be incontact with a housing of the electric motors, or be in heat-conductingconnection with it.

Waste heat from the electric motors can be removed during operation fromthe sectionally thermally insulated housing interior by the heatconduction means 2006. To this end, the heat dissipation surfaces 2006.1have an increased surface area with cooling ribs, fins and/or pins. Theheat dissipation surfaces 2006.1 can be separably connected with theheat conduction means 2006.

FIG. 19 shows, in a view corresponding to that of FIG. 18, asterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.Matching features are designated with identical reference symbols, sothat their description is referred to and only differences in theembodiments are discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the heat conduction means are designed tobe switchable and can be switched between a first, more heat-conductivestate, which is illustrated in the right half of the subdivided FIG. 19,and a second, less heat-conductive state which is illustrated in theleft half of FIG. 19. The heat conduction means can for example have, orin particular be, cooling bodies 2007 connected with the robot, which inthe first, more heat-conductive state reach through recesses in thethermal insulation layer 2004 and make contact with the housing of theelectric motors (see FIG. 19, right). This contact can be automaticallybrought about during coupling of the drive unit to the robot. In thesecond, less heat-conductive state by contrast, the electric motors andthe heat sinks 2007 are separated by a gap (see FIG. 19, left).

FIG. 20 shows a view corresponding to that of FIG. 19 of a sterilizabledrive unit of a surgical instrument of a surgical robot system accordingto another embodiment of the present invention. Matching features aredesignated with identical reference symbols, so that their descriptionis referred to and only differences in the embodiments are discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 20, the heat conduction means are alsoconfigured to be switchable and can be switched between a first, moreheat-conductive state, which is illustrated in the right half of thesubdivided FIG. 20, and a second, less heat-conductive state which isillustrated in the left half of FIG. 20.

The heat conduction means have a gap 2008.1 in the thermal insulationlayer 2004 and a movable element 2008.2 for selective heat-conductingbridging of this gap. The gap 2008.1 is made fluid-tight and has areduced pressure or vacuum, so as to reduce its heat conductivity. Thegap is delimited by an elastic shell 2008.3, which has a folding or isof bellows-like construction. In the first, more heat-conductive state(see FIG. 20, right) the movable element 2008.2 bridges the gap and thusincreases the heat conductivity of the heat conduction means; in thesecond, less heat-conductive state (see FIG. 19, left), the gap 2008.1is not bridged and thus is thermally insulating, so that the heatconduction means can be switched over by moving the movable element2008.2.

FIG. 21 shows, in a view corresponding to that of FIG. 20, asterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.Matching features are designated with identical reference symbols, sothat their description is referred to and only differences in theembodiments are discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 21, a heat conduction means is also configuredto be switchable and can be switched between a first, moreheat-conductive state, which is illustrated in FIG. 21B, and a second,less heat-conductive state which is illustrated in FIG. 21A.

Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 20, no direct contacting of the electricmotor housing by the movable element is provided for in the embodimentof FIG. 21. In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown by wayof example in FIG. 21, a heat collection means is generally provided(2009.4, for example, in FIG. 21), which is in permanent contact withmultiple, in particular all actuators of the actuator assembly, andwhich can be selectively contacted by a movable element 2009.2.

A gap 2009.1 is also formed in this embodiment, which can be selectivelybridged by the movable element 2009.2. The gap is delimited fluid-tightby an elastic shell 2009.3, which has a folding or is of bellows-likeconstruction. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21, it has no reducedpressure. In a variation, however, the interior of the housing can beevacuated, so to advantageously reduce thermal insulation of thecomponent assembly, in which case the gap 2009.1 also has reducedpressure. In general, in one embodiment of the present invention, theinterior of a housing can be evacuated or be filled with air or gasunder reduced pressure.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 21A, 21B, the movable element isconstructed in two parts, one part, which is permanently located in theshell 2009.3, being movably and captively positioned inside the housing2003, while another part can selectively contact this part and can movewithin the housing. The part located in the shell 2009.3 is elasticallypre-loaded by it away from the heat collection means 2009.4 and can bemoved by the other part against the heat collection means 2009.4 inorder to bridge the gap to it.

FIG. 22 shows, in a view corresponding to that of FIG. 15, asterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.Matching features are designated with identical reference symbols, sothat their description is referred to and only differences in theembodiments are discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 22, the switchable heat conduction means has aplurality of Peltier elements 2010. By applying a voltage, a temperaturedifference, and consequently a first, more heat-conductive state, can begenerated. The Peltier elements 2010 have heat dissipation surfaces2010.1 which are located on the outer side of the housing 2003.

FIG. 23 shows, in a view corresponding to that of FIG. 22, asterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.Matching features are designated with identical reference symbols, sothat their description is referred to and only differences in theembodiments are discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 23, the heat conduction means has fluidpassages 2011 with a working fluid, for example a liquid refrigerant,which can exchange heat with a heat exchange surface (not shown) on theouter side of the housing 2003 and a heat collection surface 2011.2 ofthe heat conduction means. A flow control means for selective activestreaming in the form of a controllable, selectively activatablecirculation pump (not shown) can circulate the working fluid duringoperation between the heat collection and heat dissipation surfaces, asindicated in FIG. 23 by working fluid flow arrows.

FIG. 24 shows, in a view corresponding to that of FIG. 23, asterilizable drive unit of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.Matching features are designated with identical reference symbols, sothat their description is referred to and only differences in theembodiments are discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 24, the fluid passages are configured as heatpipes 2012 not having a circulation pump, with a working fluid which canexchange heat, with phase changes, with a heat dissipation surface2012.1 and a heat collection surface 2012.2 of the heat conductionmeans. A flow control means for selectively blocking the working fluidin the form of a controllable valve (not shown) can, in operation, canallow or impede flow of the working fluid in the heat pipe.

For sterilizing the drive unit, as was explained earlier with referenceto FIGS. 15 through 25, an outer side of the drive unit is subjected fora predetermined period of time, preferably at least 5 minutes,preferably at least 20 minutes and/or at a pressure of at least 2 bar,particularly at least 3 bar, with heated fluid, particularly steam orair, preferably at 100 degrees Celsius at least, particularly at least120 degrees Celsius, preferably at least 130 degrees Celsius.

Switchable heat conduction means 2007, 2008.2, 2009.2, 2010, 2011, and2012 are in this case switched into the second, less heat-conductivestate (left in FIGS. 19, 20; FIG. 21A). In operation, a switchover meansswitches these over into a first, more heat-conductive state (right inFIGS. 19, 20: FIGS. 21B, 22, 23, 24). This can be accomplished manuallyor automatically, particularly by coupling to the robot, by which themovable elements 2007, 2008.2, 2009.2 can be brought into contact withthe actuator assembly or the heat collection means 2009.4, or dependingon a temperature in an interior of the housing. To this end, aswitchover means (not shown) can determine a temperature inside thehousing 2003 and, when a predefined limiting value is exceeded, switchone or more switchable heat conduction means into the first, moreheat-conductive state, activating for example a circulation pump of theembodiment of FIG. 23, a opening a valve of the embodiment of FIG. 24 orsupplying current to a Peltier element of the embodiment of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 shows, as preliminarily described, a surgical robot systemaccording to one embodiment of the present invention, with a pluralityof robots 3001, 3002, and 3003, to the distal ends whereof is separablyattached one instrument each, 3004, 3005, and 3006 respectively, of aninstrument assembly according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 27A, 27B show various embodiments of a robot-controlled instrumentwith various drive units, which are separably attached to the surgicalinstrument or instrument shaft so as to ensure simple preparation andthe most cost-effective possible implementation of the instrument. Inthe embodiment according to FIG. 27A, during the operation, the modulardrive unit 4004′ is repeatedly separable from the instrument, or can berepeatedly applied to an instrument. To this end, the non-sterile driveunit 4004′ is pre-operatively [encased] with a sterile shell.Alternatively, the drive unit can also be configured as a sterilizablemodule, whereby the sterile encasing can be dispensed with. In contrast,in the embodiment of FIG. 27B, a non-sterile drive unit 4004″ ispre-operatively inserted into a proximal instrument housing of theinstrument shaft 4007′, and this is sealed under sterile conditions. Inthis concept, the drive unit 4004″ advantageously remains in theproximal instrument housing for the entire duration of an operativeintervention, and is taken out again only after its end and prior topreparation.

Optionally, an interface between the drive unit and the instrument shaftcan have a mounting barrier releasable by a drive unit of saidinstrument, which prevents an instrument lacking a drive unit from beingadapted to the robot. For example, the proximal instrument housing canhave a mechanical barrier, which is deactivated or released when a driveunit is inserted. The instrument housing can only be adapted to amanipulator arm with the barrier deactivated. Alternatively or inaddition to the mechanical barrier, with the drive unit not inserted,described above, the presence and/or the correct position of the driveunit on the instrument can be checked with presence sensor technologyintegrated between the robot and the drive unit.

FIG. 28 shows a robot-controlled instrument of an instrument assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention, with subdivisionof the mechatronic drive unit into an electronic module 20 and a drivemodule 21. By this subdivision it is possible to handle, and inparticular to apply the drive electronics to the robot, independently ofthe instrument drives. This reduces the weight and volume of the moduleto be handled by the OR personnel; user-friendliness of the system isimproved.

The electronic module 20 contains, in one embodiment, the entire driveelectronics, or at least a portion thereof. Thus in particularcomponents of units needed for signal processing for sensor signals, forregulation and control of drive motors, and/or a communication interfacefor connecting to the robot can be contained in the electronic module.The drive module 21 contains for example a drive motor for each degreeof freedom of the instrument, a reduction gear train if needed, a sensorsystem for speed and/or position determination, and/or other sensors,for example force sensors, moment sensors, current sensors, referenceand end switches or the like.

The electronic module 20 is preferably placed with an instrument adapter22 at the distal end of the robot 5001′. The instrument adapter 22constitutes the mechanical connection between the robot and the driveunit and ensures accurately repeatable positioning and attachment of thedrive unit relative to the distal end of the robot.

Optionally, the instrument adapter 22 also constitutes the requiredelectrical connections between the drive unit and the robot. Theelectronic module 20 can either be configured as a sterilizable module,or be encased by a sterile shell, which advantageously also encases themanipulator arm. By way of example, two possible routings of such asterile shell 24 are shown, with solid and dashed lines, which encase anon-sterile electronic module 20 and a non-sterile instrument adapter 22together with the robot 5001′ (FIG. 28: dashed) or, in the case of asterile electronic module 20 and a sterile instrument adapter 22, onlythe robot 5001′ (FIG. 28: solid).

Optionally, the electronic module 20 described is also suitable for aninstrument with an integrated drive part, not removable by the user. Inthis case, the size and costs of the instrument can be reduced by theoutplacement of the entire, or of significant portions of, the driveelectronics.

In FIG. 28, a proximal flange 5007.1 is also indicated schematically, aswell as a drive train 5007.2 of the instrument shaft 5007′ and anelectrical interface 20.1 between the electronic and the drive part 20,21.

FIG. 29 shows a manual operating unit of an instrument assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention which can beattached, instead of a modular drive unit (not shown in FIG. 29; see forinstance FIG. 27A, FIG. 30A), as shown for example in FIGS. 26 through28, to the proximal flange 6007.1′ of the instrument shaft 6007″.

The operating unit of this exemplary embodiment is configured for manualactuation of two motion degrees of freedom φ₁ and φ₂ and an operatingdegree of freedom φ_(e) of an end effector at the distal end of theinstrument shaft 6007″. A hand lever 31, which is mounted in a base, orhand lever housing 30 with degrees of freedom φ′₁ and φ′₂, serves as theuser interface. These degrees of freedom correspond in the embodimentshown to the distal motion degrees of freedom φ₁ and φ₂ of theinstrument. In addition, another degree of freedom φ′_(e) is provided atthe hand lever 31 for actuating the operating degree of freedom φ_(e) ofthe distal end effector. The hand lever housing 30 has a mechanicalinterface (not visible in FIG. 29) for repeated separable coupling tothe instrument shaft, which corresponds to the mechanical interface ofthe mechatronic drive unit to be replaced (not shown).

Moreover, the hand lever housing 30 contains one or more mechanismsand/or gear trains, which converts the positioning motions of the handlever 31 into the motions provided for in the interface, optionallyscaled, and connects with coupling elements of the interface.Optionally, the interface of the removable operating unit can also haveelectrical contacts, through which for example information is exchangedbetween the hand lever and the instrument and/or power is transmittedbetween the hand lever and the instrument.

The possibility of limiting to selected distal degrees of freedom, whichcan be operated by a person, is optionally provided in the operatingunit. For this purpose, the interface can contain a blocking device formechanically fixing one or more distal degrees of freedom in apredefined joint position. Preferably, the blocking device containsmechanical elements with which individual parts of the instrument-sidecoupling elements can be fixed in a predefined position.

FIG. 30A shows the robot-controlled surgical robot system of FIG. 27A,equipped with the modular drive unit 7004′, from another viewingdirection. Just as in FIG. 27 and FIGS. 31 through 33, a sterileencasement of the robot is not shown for better clarity. This enclosesthe robot entirely or partially, particularly part of the sterileinstrument adapter. In this embodiment, the electrical interface 20.2 ofthe drive unit directly grasps an electrical interface 22.2 of thesterile instrument adapter 22 (see FIG. 28), so that the number ofcontacts to be sterilized is minimized and consequently the contactreliability can be increased. A detail view of the electrical interface22.2 between the sterile instrument adapter and the drive unit is shownin FIG. 30B. It should be noted that the direction of insertion F of theelectrical interface advantageously matches the direction of insertionof the drive unit into the sterile instrument adapter. In order tocompensate for small positioning and dimensional discrepancies betweenthe contact pairs, the electrical interface can advantageously containdevices for tolerance compensation.

FIG. 31 shows a surgical robot system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention with an instrument magazine for selective storage ofinstruments of the instrument assembly, as was explained previously withreference to FIGS. 26 through 30.

In the instrument magazine 40, prepared instruments, particularly withdrive units inserted, can be stored under sterile conditions prior touse and likewise be supplied with power. Besides power supply, therealso optionally exists a communication link between the drive units notmounted to the robot and an (instrument) control of the robot assembly(not shown). The instrument magazine can be configured as a sterilizableunit and/or be enclosed in a sterile shell, which can be advantageouslymade as a single-use item. The instrument magazine can in particularhave two or more accommodation shells for individual or multipleinstrument shafts 7″, 8′ and/or drive units. The individual drive unitsare positioned at the located provided for them by the accommodationshells and the electrical contacts or other, particularly wireless,power and/or data transmission units are correctly positioned relativeto one another. Likewise, the instrument magazine can also beconfigured, particularly plate-like, for free storage of instrumentshafts and/or drive units, i.e. not, or only optionally, provided withdedicated accommodation shells. This embodiment is particularly suitedfor drive units with wireless power and data transmission, wherein thepower and/or data transmission units of the instrument magazine can bearranged in a grid, so that arbitrary storage locations for the driveunits are possible. In this solution, easier cleaning and sterilecovering in particular are advantageous.

To fasten an instrument or a drive unit to a robot, it is removed fromthe sterile instrument magazine. To maintain power supply to at leastthe signal processing electronics of this drive unit for the periodfollowing removal from the instrument magazine until mounting on arobot, to prevent repeating booting and initialization followingmounting on a manipulator arm, the drive unit has an energy storageunit, so that autonomous power supply of at least the signal processingelectronics is possible. This energy storage unit is located, in oneembodiment, in the modular drive unit and/or can be regenerated orrecharged upon connection to an external power supply, particularly onthe robot or in the instrument magazine. Simple operation and service byOR personnel is thus possible. Likewise, the drive unit can also besupplied with power by the energy storage unit for the entire durationof an intervention. Another alternative consists of a sterile cableconnection between the robot assembly and the mounted and/or un-mountedinstruments or instruments fastened to the robot assembly or drive unitsfor power supply and/or data exchange. In another embodiment, wirelesspower transmission to drive units can be provided, which can allow adistinctly increased mobility of drive units and instruments compared inparticular to cable-connected systems. Advantageous compared to supplyby an energy storage unit are the smaller size and the lower weight ofthe drive units. All electrical contacts can be dispensed with, wherebysterile shells can be made distinctly simpler and more cost-effective.Due to the elimination of sterile electrical contacts, the preparationof the instruments or drive units is also simplified.

In one embodiment, particularly for increasing operating safety of driveunits with wireless power and/or communication links, an additionalcommunication channel independent of the intrinsic communication channelcan be provided for status reporting. This additional communicationchannel preferably operates according to a physical principle differentfrom the intrinsic communication channel, optically for example. Itpreferably does not serve for transmitting large quantities of data, butrather only for exchanging status reports between a robot and a driveunit mounted thereon. The additional communication channel runspreferably in parallel to the intrinsic data connection. It can operateon the de-energize-to-trip principle, so that an emergency disconnectionof at least the effected robot and the affected drive unit can beinitiated as soon as the connection is broken or the status of the robotor the instrument or drive unit changes.

With reference to the figure series of FIGS. 32A-32D, 33A-33D, methodsteps of a method for, particularly selectively, equipping a robotassembly of a surgical robot system with an instrument and an instrumentwith a drive unit according to one embodiment of the present inventionis explained in more detail hereafter.

Registration of an instrument shaft coupled to a drive unit can occurautomatically. In the process, one or more of the following stepspreferably occur following establishment of a mechanical connectionbetween the instrument shaft and the drive unit:

-   1) Coupling with an instrument shaft is detected and a registration    procedure for concretely defining the attached instrument is    activated;-   2) The instrument or the instrument shaft can identify itself,    particularly through active communication between the drive unit and    a controller integrated into the instrument shaft, preferably a    microcontroller. Alternatively, a coupled instrument can be    identified, particularly by means of a non-volatile memory chip, an    EEPROM for example, in the instrument, the information being    available for query from the drive unit.

An instrument or instrument shaft preferably contains one or more of thefollowing data: identification code, instrument name, serial number,number of remaining or still available uses, calibration parameters forcompensating manufacturing and assembly tolerances and/or kinematicand/or dynamic parameters which characterize and instrument type, forexample weight, center of gravity location, inertia sensor, origin andorientation of the end effector coordinate system, kinematic-specifictransformation matrices, joint angle limits and Cartesian working space.

After successful registration, the drive-unit-equipped instrument of therobot assembly is known, so that one or more of the following steps canbe carried out:

-   3.1) Passing on the instrument data to the instrument control of the    robot assembly and/or a control layer of the drive unit,    particularly an electronic part. This can preferably be accomplished    as early as upon connection of the instrument shaft and the    operating unit, particularly in the instrument magazine, or only    upon connection with the robot. If for example a decentralized    current control of the drive unit is implemented within it, a    position control centrally in the instrument control of the robot    assembly, the drive unit can function as a gateway and retransmit    all instrument data to the instrument control, via a fieldbus for    example.-   3.2) Status changes of the drive unit after confirmation by the    instrument control, particularly signalling the status to an    operator.

All registered instruments can be stored in a database, which can becontinuously updated during an intervention. This informationalconnection of all instruments or drive unit—not only those mounted on orattached to the robot assembly—to the instrument control of the robotassembly offers some advantages, both for control of the robot assemblyand for the user: the operator has at all times an overview of theinstruments currently ready for service and their status; theoperational state, for example “ready for operation,” (various) errorconditions, elapsed lifetime and the like of each instrument or eachdrive unit can be signalled to the OP personnel. This can beaccomplished acoustically or optically for example, by means of one ormore mono- or polychromatic signal lights, particularly LEDs,particularly on the drive unit. Similarly, the operational states of allor individual instruments or drive units can be signalled to theoperator at an input console by suitable overlays.

During an instrument change, the operator can select at an input consolea registered instrument to be exchanged, as well as the robot on whichthe selected instrument is to be mounted. This information can be usedto support a manual instrument change and to make it easier for the ORpersonnel, or to initiate an automatic instrument change.

In one embodiment, one or more robots of the robot assembly and/or oneor more instruments and/or drive units of the instrument assembly haveavailable a signal device, for example a, particularly polychromatic,signal light. In preparation for an instrument change, the signal lightof the affected robot is activated in a particular colour and/or aparticular blink sequence. The OR personnel are thereby clearly notifiedof which robot(s) is (are) affected by the impending instrument change.Likewise, the signal light of the instrument to be exchanged isactivated in a particular colour and/or a particular blink sequence, soas to clearly indicate to the OR personnel, which instrument is to beexchanged. Likewise, a successful instrument change can be indicated tothe OR personnel by a special colour or blink pattern of the signallights on the manipulator arm and the instrument. Alternatively or inaddition to optical signalling, an acoustic signal is also possible.

FIGS. 32A-32D, 33A-33D show a method according to the invention forautomatic instrument exchange or equipping a robot assembly with aninstrument of the instrument assembly, and an instrument with a driveunit. To this end, the surgical robot system has an instrument exchangemagazine wherein all required instruments are stored ready for use andare kept in readiness. All instruments are stored in the exchangemagazine without a drive unit, as the application of the drive unit toan instrument occurs during the exchange procedure. For this purpose,the exchange magazine has available a drive unit manipulator 50 (seeFIG. 31) for handling the drive units during instrument exchange. Thedrive unit manipulator has, in one embodiment, no degrees of freedom ofits own, with the exception of a tensioning mechanism for the driveunit; all positioning movements are carried out by the robot. Forexample, a drive unit can, with the help of this drive unit manipulator,be separated from one instrument and connected with another. The numberof drive units can thereby be reduced, as not every instrument presentin the exchange magazine need be equipped with a drive unit. Besides,this concept allows less expenditure for power supply to the driveunits, as no power supply is required to the instruments stored in theexchange magazine. Power supply of the drive units need only be providedfor the period wherein they are not mounted on a robot and supplied withpower from there. Power supply to the drive unit during this period can,in one embodiment, be accomplished through the drive unit manipulator.

A rotary instrument exchange magazine is shown in FIGS. 31, 32A-32D. Alinear instrument exchange magazine can likewise be used. In order to beable to handle various drive units, the drive unit manipulator canoptionally be equipped with a plurality of grips, which can havedifferent configurations. In this case, the drive unit manipulatorpreferably has one or more translational and/or one or more rotarymotion options, so as to handle the required drive unit.

FIGS. 32A-32D show steps in stowing an instrument in the instrumentexchange magazine, as they can occur in particular during an automatictool exchange. First, the robot is moved out of the operating area tothe tool magazine in the output position for instrument storage (FIG.32A). Then the drive unit is mounted or fastened onto the drive unitmanipulator, shown for example in FIG. 32B as a two jaw gripper. Ifnecessary, an attachment between the drive unit and the instrument isreleased. Optionally, maintenance of power supply to the drive unitoccurs, particularly by contact or contactless, perhaps through thedrive unit manipulator. Then the instrument shaft is stored in theexchange magazine (FIG. 32C), the connection between it and the driveunit manipulator being released. Finally, the robot moves away from theexchange magazine, the connection between the instrument shaft and therobot being released thereby or beforehand (FIG. 32D).

FIGS. 33A-33D show steps for reception of an instrument from theexchange magazine by a robot: first, the instrument to be exchanged ismade ready by operation of the instrument exchange magazine, the driveunit being placed in the correct position by the drive unit manipulator(FIG. 33A). Then the instrument shaft is mounted on the robot (FIG.33B), which transports it to the drive unit mounted on the drive unitmanipulator, where it is adapted or mounted on the instrument shaft(FIG. 33C). The attachment of the drive unit in the drive unitmanipulator is released. Thereafter, the substituted instrument-driveunit is ready for use (FIG. 33D) and can be operated under robotcontrol.

It is noted that in these method steps, synergistically, the robotassembly on the one hand is selectively equipped with an instrument (seein particular FIG. 32C, FIG. 32D, stowing a robot-controlled instrument;FIG. 33B, reception of a robot-controlled instrument by a robot), and onthe other hand a robot-controlled instrument stored in an instrumentmagazine is selectively equipped with a drive unit (see in particularFIGS. 32B, 32C, separation of the drive unit; FIGS. 33B, 33C, attachmentof the drive unit to the instrument shaft).

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

In FIGS. 1 Through 14:

-   1 instrument-   2 instrument housing-   3 instrument shaft-   4 drive unit-   5 seal-   6,7 attachment means/elements-   8,19 sterile barrier-   9,10 individual drives-   11,12 coupling elements-   13,14 traction cables-   15-18 pulleys-   101 instrument-   102 instrument housing-   103 instrument shaft-   104 drive unit-   105 seal-   106,107 attachment means/elements-   109,110 individual drives-   111,112 coupling elements-   113,114 traction cables-   115-118 pulleys-   119 sterile barrier-   201 robot/manipulator arm-   202 proximal base-   203 distal end-   204 sterile shell-   205 instrument-   206 instrument housing-   207 instrument kinematics-   208 surgical end effector-   209 instrument shaft-   210 instrument adapter-   211 sterile barrier-   212 drive unit-   213 seal cover-   214 contact pin-   215 socket-   216 recess-   217 radial protuberance-   601 sterile protection-   701 rigid intermediate plate-   702 side of the rigid intermediate plate-   703 facing side of the rigid intermediate plate-   704 circumferential surface-   705 motion transmission element-   706 eversion-   707 elastic membrane-   801-803 drive unit-   805 a-805 d, 807 a-807 e, 809 a-809 d individual drives-   804 a-804 c housing-   806,808,810 mechanical coding-   901 instrument-   902 drive unit housing part-   903 drive unit housing part-   904 instrument shaft-   905 adapter-   906,907 coupling element-   908,909 traction cables-   910-913 pulleys-   914 drive unit-   915 housing-   916 seal cover-   917 attachment means/elements-   918,919 individual drives-   920 sterile barrier-   921,922 motion transmission element-   1101-1103 manipulator arm-   1104-1106 surgical instrument-   1107-1109 instrument shaft-   1110-1112 penetration point-   1113 abdominal wall-   1114 operation area-   1115 minimum spacing    In FIGS. 15 through 25:-   1A, 1B power take-off shaft of an actuator of an actuator assembly-   2A,26 position sensor (electronic component)-   3 housing-   3.1 penetration openings-   3.2 housing vessel (housing part)-   3.3 housing cover (housing part)-   3.4 housing wall-   4; 4.1, 4.2 thermal insulation layer-   5 thermal insulation layer-   6; stationary heat conduction means-   6.1 heat dissipation surface-   6.2 heat absorption surface-   7 movable element (switchable heat conduction means)-   8.1; 9.1 gap-   8.2; 9.2 movable element (switchable heat conduction means)-   8.3; 9.3 shell-   9.4 heat collection means-   10 Peltier element (switchable heat conduction means)-   10.1 heat dissipation surface-   11 working fluid passage (switchable heat conduction means)-   11.2 heat absorption surface-   12 heat pipe (switchable heat conduction means)-   12.1 heat dissipation surface-   12.2 heat absorption surface-   100 shell    In FIGS. 26 Through 33:-   1; 1′,2, 3 robot assembly-   4; 4′; 4″,5, 6 modular drive unit-   7; 7′; 7″, 8; 8′, 9 instrument shaft-   7.1; 7.1′ flange-   7.2 drive train-   10,11,12 opening-   13 abdominal wall-   14 operation area-   20 electronic module (drive unit)-   20.1; 20.2, 22.2 interface-   21 drive module (drive unit)-   22 instrument adapter-   24 sterile shell-   30 base (operating unit)-   31 hand lever (operating unit)-   40 instrument magazine-   50 drive unit manipulator

What is claimed is:
 1. A sterilizable drive unit for use with a surgicalinstrument having an end effector and an instrument shaft for actuatingat least one degree of freedom of the end effector using the drive unit,the drive unit comprising: an actuator assembly with at least oneactuator for actuating the at least one degree of freedom of the endeffector of the surgical instrument; a component assembly with at leastone electronic component; a sterilizable housing in which the actuatorassembly and the component assembly are located, the housing including ahousing wall and a thermal insulation layer located on at least one ofthe housing wall or between the component assembly and the actuatorassembly; and a heat conduction means assembly including at least oneheat conduction means with a heat dissipation surface located on anouter side of the housing wall facing the actuator assembly; wherein atleast one switchable heat conduction means of the heat conduction meansassembly is switchable between a first heat-conductive state and asecond heat-conductive state that is less heat conductive than the firstheat-conductive state.
 2. The sterilizable drive unit of claim 1,wherein at least one switchable heat conduction means of the heatconduction means assembly comprises a gap and a movable element forselective heat-conductive bridging of the gap.
 3. The sterilizable driveunit of claim 2, wherein: the gap is fluid-tight; or the gap isfluid-tight in the thermal insulation layer.
 4. The sterilizable driveunit of claim 1, wherein at least one heat conduction means of the heatconduction means assembly comprises a fluid passage with a workingfluid.
 5. The sterilizable drive unit of claim 4, wherein the fluidpassage is a heat pipe.
 6. The sterilizable drive unit of claim 4,further comprising a flow control means for at least one of: selectiveactive streaming of the working fluid; or selective active blocking ofthe working fluid.
 7. The sterilizable drive unit of claim 1, wherein atleast one switchable heat conduction means comprises at least onePeltier element.
 8. The sterilizable drive unit of claim 1, wherein atleast one stationary heat conduction means of the heat conduction meansassembly is permanently connected to the housing wall.
 9. Thesterilizable drive unit of claim 8, wherein the at least one stationaryheat conduction means is permanently connected with the actuatorassembly within the housing.
 10. The sterilizable drive unit of claim 1,wherein the thermal insulation layer completely covers at least one ofthe inner surface or outer surface of the housing wall.
 11. Thesterilizable drive unit of claim 1, further comprising an interface forseparable coupling of the actuator assembly with the instrument shaft,wherein the interface has a shell which covers at least one penetrationopening of the housing in a fluid-tight manner and encases a part of apower take-off shaft extending through the at least one penetrationopening, the shell being deformable by a movement of at least one of thepart of the power take-off shaft, a sterilizable radial seal, or asterilizable axial seal.
 12. The sterilizable drive unit of claim 11,wherein the shell is elastically deformable.
 13. A method forsterilizing a drive unit of a surgical instrument, the methodcomprising: obtaining a sterilizable drive according to claim 1; andtreating an outer surface of the drive unit with heated fluid,particularly steam or air, particularly for a predetermined period oftime.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sterilizable drive unitincludes a heat conduction means assembly including at least one heatconduction means with a heat dissipation surface located on an outerside of the housing wall facing the actuator assembly, the methodfurther comprising: switching the at least one switchable heatconduction means of the heat conduction means assembly from a firstheat-conductive state into a second heat-conductive state duringtreatment with heated fluid; wherein the second heat-conductive state isless heat conductive than the first heat-conductive state.
 15. Thesterilizable drive unit of claim 1, wherein the electronic component isa position-determining means.
 16. A surgical instrument, comprising: anend effector; a sterilizable drive unit; and an instrument shaft foractuating at least one degree of freedom of the end effector with thedrive unit; the sterilizable drive unit comprising: an actuator assemblywith at least one actuator for actuating the at least one degree offreedom of the end effector of the surgical instrument, a componentassembly with at least one electronic component, a sterilizable housingin which the actuator assembly and the component assembly are located,the housing including a housing wall and a thermal insulation layerlocated on at least one of the housing wall or between the componentassembly and the actuator assembly, and a heat conduction means assemblyincluding at least one heat conduction means with a heat dissipationsurface located on an outer side of the housing wall facing the actuatorassembly, wherein at least one switchable heat conduction means of theheat conduction means assembly is switchable between a firstheat-conductive state and a second heat-conductive state that is lessheat conductive than the first heat-conductive state.
 17. The surgicalinstrument according to claim 16, wherein the at least one switchableheat conduction means is switchable into the first heat-conductive statedepending on at least one of a temperature in an interior of the housingor an operating parameter of the actuator assembly.
 18. A surgical robotsystem, comprising: a robot assembly including at least one robot; andan instrument assembly with at least one instrument according to claim16 coupled with the robot assembly.
 19. The surgical instrument of claim16, wherein the electronic component of the component assembly is aposition-determining means.